the proof of the pudding is in the eating; the proof is in the pudding; don't knock it till you've tried it; you can't tell unless you try
good bargain; (a) find; godsend; (a) steal
charm against evil spirits; talisman; amulet
ominous; sinister; (arch.) annoying; (arch.) appearing to be true; (arch.) plausible
left in a state of neglect; left to go to ruin; left to run wild (e.g. of a garden)
gardening; puttering around in the garden
to put one's heart and soul (into); to completely devote oneself (to)
obvious; (as) clear as day; plain to see
every evening; night after night
spirit; determination; pluck; mettle
awkward; uncomfortable; embarrassing
sorry; excuse me; thank you
day by day; every day; by the day
to cut one's hand; to cut one's connections (with); to break off relations (with); to cut ties (with)
blue; azure; green; pale (facial color); gray; unripe
creeping (of an insect, etc.); crawling; restlessly; fidgeting; hesitantly; slowly
cancellation; withdrawal; asking to be excused; begging off; not taking
one grain; one drop; one bead
to become entangled; to become complicated; to get mixed up; to screw up; to get caught up in
broke; poor; short; skint; having no money
long ago; a long time ago; already
least; lowest; worst; awful; horrible; at the very least
you guys; buddies; pals; you lot
imitation; fake; phony; pseudo-
favour; favor; favourite; favorite; patron; supporter
to spread rumors; to spread rumours
high efficiency; high performance
shivering (with cold); trembling (with fear); shuddering
soundly (sleeping); fast (asleep)
(growing) quickly (esp. children, plants); (developing) quickly; fast; rapidly
timid; faint-hearted; wimpish
to threaten; to intimidate; to be threatening
to mount up; to pile up; to accumulate; to increase
(in the same way) as before; as always
upper class; upper echelons of society; the rich and powerful; the elite
wheat; barley; oat (oats)
in hand; on hand; on one; handheld
unsightly; ungraceful; clumsy; awkward; unpresentable; unshapely
stimulating; exciting; provocative
field; sphere; realm; division; branch