excellent performance; fine play
solidarity; banding together and working as one for a common cause
to age; to grow old (esp. in appearance); to show marks of age
painstaking; careful; meticulous; scrupulous; detailed; elaborate
instigator; originator; initiator; torch bearer; incendiary; agitator
appointment; assignment; promotion
resolution of an incident; solution to a (criminal) case
maniac (as in rabid sport fan); enthusiast
chapter; section; medal; badge; insignia
supplementary biography; anecdote; side story; spin-off
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall
clearness; clarity; skillfulness (skilfulness)
to read and understand; to subject to close analysis; to read deeply; to decipher; to decode
to develop a relationship; to build intimacy; to deepen a friendship; to get acquainted
to come loose; to come untied; to come undone; to loosen up (e.g. tension)
to be based on; to take into account; to build upon; to have one's feet firmly planted on; to plant oneself on
later on; subsequently; by and by; after a while
achievements; actual results; accomplishments; past results; track record
party venue; place for a party; banquet hall
skillful; skilful; delicious; appetizing; fortunate; splendid
food universally loved by all citizens; comfort food
flavour; flavor; taste; charm; appeal; interest
8th in rank; eighth sign of the Chinese calendar
moderate; proper; just right
sink or swim; all or nothing; hit or miss; make or break
extremely spicy; fiery hot; extremely harsh (criticism, review, etc.); scathing
unbelievable; incredible; implausible
to substitute for; to stand in for; to fill in for
truth; reality; sincerity; honesty; content; substance
to fry; to saute; to stir-fry
expressive power; inventiveness; creative power
new menu item; new dish on a menu
unexpectedly; surprisingly
ornamental (foliage) plant; houseplant
not busy; unengaged; being free; leisure
gourmet food; delicious food; dining on gourmet food; following a lavish diet; living as an epicure