skillful; skilful; delicious; appetizing; fortunate; splendid
important post; important office; key position
presence; sitting with; being with
support (e.g. for an argument); backing; proof; evidence; corroboration; substantiation
to speak; to talk; to mediate; to act as a go-between; to put in a good word (for someone)
security; guarantee; collateral (e.g. mortgage)
real rights obtained by security
to not take seriously; to take lightly
forcing; compulsion; coercion; pushing (to do)
lunch; noon; midday; daytime; waking up; getting up
zealous; enthusiastic; ardent; fervent; keen; eager
to crowd (a house); to throng to (a door)
public relations; PR; publicity; publicizing
book; booklet; story book; pamphlet; notebook
having nothing to do; having time on one's hands (and not knowing what to do); being at a loose end; being bored
success; prosperity; boom
seeing things in a favourable light (favorable)
to compare; to make a comparison; to compete; to vie
advance; moving forward; progress
plain; simple; reserved (behaviour, attitude, etc.); modest; quite; a (little) bit
top recommendation; (something) highly recommended
showing no signs of; there being no hint of; (arch.) unthinkable
this is not the time (for that); that's out of the question right now
to feign ignorance; to pretend one doesn't know
to become serious; to take something seriously (joke, teasing); to become irritated or angry (usu. at something trivial); to get worked up
previous engagement; prior contract
alley; alleyway; bare earth (i.e. ground not covered by a roof); open field; teahouse garden; path through a gate (or through a garden, etc.)
as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all possible
to entice; to tempt; to invite someone to join in
nerve; nerves; sensitivity
rubbing the wrong way (e.g. a cat); irritating
plausible; believable; solemn; dignified; serious
bargaining; haggling; tactics; strategy
intimidation; threat; bluster
up to now; so far; traditional; conventional; usual