to become serious; to take something seriously (joke, teasing); to become irritated or angry (usu. at something trivial); to get worked up
advance guard; vanguard; athlete who competes in the first match of a team competition (kendo, judo, etc.)
jingle; jangle; chatty; nattering; coquettish; tawdry
cautious; careful; shrewd; tactful; prudent; faultless
to sit on the edge of one's seat; to be in breathless suspense
variables; uncertain elements; uncertainties; imponderables
being on duty; being on watch; person on duty
joining (a group, team, etc.); enrollment; enrolment
soft and flaky (pie, potatoes, squash, etc.); fluffy; crumbly; being pleased with oneself; beaming happily; chuckling to oneself
to be fascinated (by); to be captivated by; to be enchanted by; to gaze admiringly at; to watch in fascination
dainty; delicate (e.g. fingers); fine; sensitive; delicate (feelings, sense, etc.); subtle
to speak; to talk; to mediate; to act as a go-between; to put in a good word (for someone)
to make sure of the truth
with a clatter; with a rattle; empty; bare; raspy (voice); gravelly; with a gargle
personal use; private use; private business; personal business
telecommunication equipment
investigation (esp. in academic and scientific contexts)
altitude; height; elevation; high-degree; high-grade; advanced
dango; dumpling (usu. sweet); ball-shaped object; something round; lump; group
to be surprising; to be shocking; to be jaw-dropping
to kick flying (often a person in sport, martial arts, etc.)
series of battles; successive battles
accommodation; reception; seating; custody (e.g. awaiting deportation); internment; admission
replenishment; supplementation; supplement; replacement; refilling
poor; meagre; meager; feeble; scanty; shabby
projecting part (of a headland, etc.); moment of departure; (on the) point of going out; outset; start
military cadet; officer cadet
young bird; chick; fledgling; greenhorn; fledgeling; novice
extremely spicy; fiery hot; extremely harsh (criticism, review, etc.); scathing
foolish; idiotic; stupid; ridiculous; absurd
to find fault (with); to cavil (at); to carp (about); to throw a wet blanket (on); to throw cold water (on); to jinx
clean sweep; purging; doing away with; eradication
disturbance; perturbation; derangement
to hunt out; to flush out; to round up; to impress; to recruit
before ... days (months, etc.)
lesson; precept; teachings; moral
blunder; miss; slip; oversight