modus operandi; criminal technique; trick
government; administration; ministry
pressure; pressure (e.g. political); arm-twisting
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
to take off; to jump; to take the plunge; to decide; to step out of the ring
defense; defence; protecting; preventing
rescue; extricate; reclaim; deliverance
tuck (e.g. in a dress); rise (e.g. in price)
regular customer; general audience; general public
beginning; start; first (in line, etc.); origin; such as ...; not to mention ...
to notify; to advise; (arch.) to know; (arch.) to reign; (arch.) to govern (a country)
to hurt; to ache; to feel a pain; to be injured; to be spoiled (e.g. food); to be damaged
according to plan; as planned
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
listening device; bug; wiretap
super-; ultra-; extremely; really; of course; definitely
electrically powered; electric
distant; remote; isolated
telephone call; speaking over the telephone; (Internet) voice call; counter for telephone calls of a set duration
endurance contest; test of endurance
way one ages; aging (gracefully, etc.)
to be damaged; to receive damage
this is why; that is the reason why; it is the case that; so; thus; with that
skip it; drop it; I've had enough (e.g. when offered something); that's enough
pity; sorrow; pitiable; pitiful; alack; alas
helping hand; help; support; aid
in advance; beforehand; previously; ahead of time
fashion; fad; vogue; prevalence (e.g. of a disease)
fashion; trend; vogue; prevalence (of a disease); epidemic
to abbreviate; to abridge; to omit; to leave out; to take; to capture
moving tale; impressive tale
to be fragrant; to smell (good); to stink; to smell (bad); to glow; to be bright
life or death struggle; mortal combat; struggle to the death
main battery; main armament; best hitter; center of the offense
firing; shooting; fire; gunshot; marksmanship
essence; quintessence; spirit; soul; heart; pith (and marrow)
always hitting the bull's-eye; infallible