often; frequently; now and then; occasionally
character (esp. kanji); letter; handwriting; penmanship; the ... word (e.g. "the L word" = "love")
affair; state; verdict; sentence; directions; orders
hard-liners; diehards; hawks
acting as agent; acting on (someone's) behalf; executing business for
still more; even more; much more; increased; greater
independent; responsible; active; subjective
sense of duty; sense of purpose; vocation
picture; drawing; painting; image (TV, film, etc.); picture; footage
weather; look of the sky; situation; turn of affairs; signs
large-scale work; voluminous work; monumental work; great work; masterpiece
at any time; at any moment; when; at what moment
to work hard; to make an effort
bulky; massive; thick; heavy
senior high school; high school
political situation; political affairs
average (normal, ordinary) year; every year; annually
success; passing (e.g. exam); eligibility
to be needed; to be wanted
to choke; to have trouble breathing
political climate; political situation
(at a rate of) once a month; 10 percent monthly interest
home area; home town; local
exercise; physical training; appeal; campaign; motion; movement
to outwit; to get the better of; to overcome a superior opponent and leave him speechless
being overheard; being leaked (e.g. secrets); going in one ear and out the other
out of character; unlike one
sentimental; emotional; maudlin; mawkish
(company) director; executive; top management; important post; role with heavy responsibilities
torrent; rapid stream; violently rushing stream
good-naturedness; good-natured person; credulous person; easy mark
to be upset; to lose one's composure; to lose self-control; to put in disorder; to mess up; to disturb
to offer; to propose; to suggest; to put forward; to request; to ask (for)
ramming attack; hurling oneself (at); throwing oneself into (e.g. a role); going all out
only; just; since; after; remaining (in a particular state)
to cause a person trouble
any kind of; every; whatsoever; whatever
(very) short story or article; short short story; conté