a little; a bit; slightly
compulsory; obligatory; mandatory
nod; inclination of the head
gaining time; stalling for time; time-buying
negative; passive; half-hearted; unmotivated
to grow weak; to become weak; to lose strength
countermeasure; counter-measure
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
to have a lot on one's shoulders; to bear a lot of responsibility
strong pressure; heavy pressure
one may well say so, but ...; even more than
main constituent; core; nucleus; subject (philosophical); protagonist
approximate (number); rough (calculation); sloppy (person); lackadaisical
woman's heart; female instincts or psychology
in some way or other; one way or another; somehow; only just; barely
physiology; menstruation; one's period; menses
collaborator; cooperator; coworker; ally
on one occasion; once; at one point; at one time
to get cold feet; to back away; to withdraw
what one desires; what one hopes for; suits me well; could ask for nothing better; bring it on
best regards; please take care of; please do
largish; biggish; a little bit larger
to reach; to amount to; to be up to the task; to come up to; to compare with; to be a match (for)
about; concerning; as to; regarding
business trip; official trip
name; title; appellation; (under the) pretext (of); pretense
round-the-world trip; circumnavigation; globe-trotting
all the domestic (housekeeping) chores
to puzzle over; to think deeply about; to rack one's brains over (wrack)
quick; fast; rapid; swift; prompt; streamlined
bed and food; eating and sleeping
after having come this far; now that we've come this far
depressed; bummed out; down; heavy-hearted; heavy-spirited; feeling reluctant (to do)
space; room; vacancy; opening; free time; time to spare
available room (hotel); vacancy; room to let
key; lock; key (to a problem); clue
different thing; another question; different case
to be curious; to wonder; to marvel
one after another; in rapid succession
to introduce oneself; to announce oneself (e.g. as the person sought); to come forward (e.g. as a witness, with a claim, etc.)