whitewashing; glossing over; lip service; deftly finishing up; putting on the final touches
discussion; talk; tête-à-tête; conference
to let go of; to release; to part with (e.g. a possession); to relinquish; to send away (e.g. one's child); to let go
littering; (carelessly) tossing away
windless; calm; quiet (state of affairs); peaceful; stable
to get permission; to get approval; to get the go-ahead
to put one's palms together (e.g. when praying or asking for something); to place one's hands together; to compete against somebody; to play (a game, match, etc.) against somebody
a few minutes later; after a few minutes
to turn up (hem, sleeves, etc.); to fold back (e.g. page); to turn back; to double back; to loopback (a signal, message, etc.)
teacher; instructor; teaching staff; faculty member
assistance; support; subsidy; supplement; auxiliary; subsidiary
to show contempt for; to look down upon; to have a low opinion of; to cause to fall; to make decline
to make an enemy (of); to antagonize
to go out (e.g. on an excursion or outing); to leave; to depart; to be about to leave; to be just going out
bulky and heavy; massive; solid; dignified; imposing; composed
to sit; to squat; to be implicated
just because; even if; even though
hard-liners; diehards; (young) man with traditionally masculine interests; tough boy; hard news; reporter who covers political and economic affairs
to fit into (a box, frame, category, etc.); to be contained within; to settle down (into); to be installed (in one's rightful place); to settle into (one's position); to take up (a post); to be delivered
preparedness for death; do-or-die spirit
sphere; circle; range; category
to have a showdown; to settle (e.g. a dispute)
period of time (usu. a period of approx. two hours corresponding to one of the signs of the Chinese zodiac); carving; engraving; strictness; cruelty
to swoop down upon; to fly down; to alight
getting tired of; getting sick of; getting bored with; getting fed up with
to apply for; to make an application; to propose (marriage); to offer (mediation); to make an overture (of peace); to challenge
to be scorched into; to be seared into; to make a strong impression; to be etched in (one's memory)
unnecessary; not needed; not necessary
to start; to begin; to commence
to explain; to advocate; to preach; to persuade
riverbank (esp. the Yangtze River)
aloof; morose; stuck-up; smelling strongly of something; having a pungent smell
rivet; tack; thumbtack; drawing-pin; hobnail