quick on the uptake; quick to catch on; perceptive; intuitive
pivot; vital point; cornerstone; Japanese photinia
to track down; to locate; to find out; to smoke out; to ferret out; to chase up
(this is only) the beginning; just the start; jonokuchi; lowest division in sumo
analysis; analytical study; parsing; parse
stronghold; citadel; base (of operations); headquarters
spicy; hot; salty; harsh (criticism); severe (punishment); painful
lack of sleep; insufficient sleep
just made; fresh (e.g. from the oven); newly built (e.g. house); brand-new
what time; (lit.) which hour
email; mail; post; message (in an instant messaging application); instant message; male
eating quickly; speed-eating
to smash; to crush; to shut down; to put out of business; to wreck; to break; to butcher
to carry; to transport; to come; to go; to use (a brush, chopsticks, etc.); to move
clue; lead; key; handhold; hold
junior high school; middle school; lower secondary school
speaking voice; talking voice
hey; yo; hi; come on; hey
to be boiled down; to come to a standstill; to reach an impasse; to approach a conclusion (of a discussion, investigation, etc.)
not worth mentioning; nothing special; nothing in particular; no notable ...
fish-shaped pancake filled with bean jam
to go pale; to grow pale; to lose color; to turn white
to become better; to improve
to take down; to bring down; to drop off (a passenger); to let off; to withdraw (money); to use for the first time; to wear for the first time
impossible proposition; unreasonable proposal; tall order
bottomless; endlessly deep; infinite
knee; lap; knee and thigh (while sitting)
to skin (one's knee); to graze; to scratch
surgery; operation; procedure; skill with one's hands; sleight of hand
scratch; graze; scrape; abrasion
at that time; in those days; at that moment; then
in good health; healthy; skilled; proficient; master; expert
ill-natured; mean; nasty; sadistic; cruel; mean-spirited
to bungle; to make things awkward
article; item; quality; flirtatiousness; coquetry
forcibly; by force; against one's will
to carry (a child) on one's back; to piggyback; (arch.) to take on (a job, responsibility, etc.)
to be helpful; to help; to be of assistance; to come in handy