gaining time; stalling for time; time-buying
to flatter; to curry favour (with); to play up (to); to suck up (to); to toady (to)
constancy; integrity; fidelity; principle; faithfulness; honor
that's not a nice thing to say; that's not a nice way of putting it; there was no need to say that
feeling depressed; feeling gloomy; feeling downhearted
to press a question; to cross-examine
person with a sharp tongue
whoops; oops; gulp; ulp; ugh; yuck
slander; bad-mouthing; abuse; insult; speaking ill (of)
it serves you (him) right; it's what you (he) deserves
responsibility; liability; blame; torture; torment; persecution
around the clock; day and night
all kinds of malicious gossip; heaping verbal abuse (on); cursing and swearing (words)
ought to have been; was ... right?; to do for (inferiors)
we are of equal status in this regard; we are in the same boat; the same to you; the feeling is mutual
speedy; as rapid as possible; as soon as possible
to practice; to practise; to train; to drill; to become practiced; to become practised
program (e.g. theatre, theater); programme; (theatrical) piece; number; performance
fair and square; open and aboveboard
of all (things, people, places, days, etc.)
money to cover the cost of preparations or arrangements
I regret to say; I'm sorry to say; unfortunately
to say; to tell; to state; to do
to dig through; to drill into; to excavate
to burst into flames; to fire (of a gun); to fan a fire with one's breath
himself; yourself; herself
to not understand; to not (quite) know; to be unsure; to be unable to tell
source of worry; source of distress
let me humbly say; most humbly; with all due respect
foolishness; stupidity; silliness
shackles; fetters; irons; bonds (e.g. family); ties; binding relationship
to sit; to squat; to be implicated
whole year; all year round; always; all the time; during an era; middle class (of a nursery school, etc.)