to be scrupulous; to be attentive; to be prudent; to be complete; to be thorough
exactly; precisely; closely; tightly; properly; without fail
fragile; brittle; delicate; sensitive
someone working behind-the-scenes; scene shifter; lady consort (to a high personage)
(cannot) possibly; (not) by any means; (not) at all; utterly; absolutely
clear; clearing (a bar, hurdle, etc.); overcoming; getting through; clearing (the ball); clearing (e.g. a checked box)
question; inquiry; enquiry
variables; uncertain elements; uncertainties; imponderables
to lose one's cool; to blow one's top; to flip one's lid; to get angry
to be forward; to be impertinent
(in) dire straits; (in a) serious bind; (in a) big pinch
speaking of; (I told you) already; come on
stiff neck; stiff shoulders
inside out; upside down; flip side; opposite; contrary
suddenly in a bad mood; in a huff; abruptly; suddenly; unexpectedly
beyond this point; from now on; after this
to mince; to cut fine; to carve; to engrave; to tick away (time); to beat out (e.g. rhythm); to etch (into one's mind)
character (esp. kanji); letter; handwriting; penmanship; the ... word (e.g. "the L word" = "love")
lesson; precept; teachings; moral
no more than; just; only; mere; goes no further than
to become frayed; to become loose
trace; tracks; site; remains; scar
healthy; robust; strong; solid; durable
absorption; suction; attraction
to run around trying to escape; to run from place to place
to shelter (e.g. a fugitive); to harbour; to harbor; to hide; to give refuge to
inscrutable are the ways people are brought together; there is no telling how people are brought together
the other day; a few days ago
witnessing; observing; sighting
deployment; disposition; posting; stationing
to whisper; to murmur; to rumor; to rumour
high alert; a state of high alert; on alert