contradiction; inconsistency
the present; present time; as of; present tense; this world; this life
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
to see; to look; to examine; to look over; to look after; to attend to; to experience
almost; roughly; approximately
record; minutes; record (e.g. in sports); results; to record; to document
to use tact; to exercise discretion; to be tactful; to be thoughtful; to have the sense (to do); to take a hint
sudden drop; sharp fall; nosedive; swoop
present point (i.e. in history); at the present time
to go upstream; to go back (in time, to origin); to date back to; to trace back to
to be due to; to be caused by; to depend on; to turn on; to be based on; to come from
outrageous; monstrous; appalling; inordinate; overambitious
at last; finally; barely; narrowly; just
absurd; nonsensical; preposterous
fairy tale; fairy story; nursery tale
actually; really; truly; in practice; practically
half in doubt; half-convinced; dubious; incredulous
to rule; to govern; to administer
to hold (in one's hand); to take (into one's hand); to own; to obtain
to rule over; to govern; to command; to integrate; to consolidate; to unite
king; ruler; tycoon; magnate; king (of the senior player)
historic; historical; traditional
major incident; major happening; big scandal
to handle (men); to master (a tool); to manage; to acquire a command of (a language)
if so; in that case; in that situation
(talking in a) half-joking manner
to work; to labor; to function; to operate; to commit (e.g. a crime); to perpetrate
to enquire of someone about something (inquire); to question
cancellation; liquidation; resolution; reduction (e.g. of stress)
to be reminded of; to call to mind
sudden; abrupt; unexpected; unforeseen
to recommend (someone to do); to advise; to recommend (a book, someone for a position, etc.); to suggest; to offer (a drink, cigarette, seat, etc.)
phantom; vision; illusion; extremely rare item
body; physique; shape; form; substance; identity; field
to manufacture; to produce; to raise (crops); to invent; to dream up; to create
temporary; transient; trifling; slight; negligent
to create; to bring forth; to invent; to think up and bring into being; to give birth to; to bear
originally; primarily; essentially; intrinsically; proper; rightful
direct; immediate; personal; firsthand