a few years ago; some years back
originator; ringleader; perpetrator; main culprit; person responsible
(nature of a) crime; (criminal) charge
special; particular; peculiar; unique
opening performance; opening act; curtain raiser; minor performer; minor storyteller; subordinate part
antics; buffoonery; clowning; clown; jester
class; order; et cetera; etc.; equal; iso-
to cheat someone out of; to wangle; to get; to obtain
skillful words; deceitful words; glibness
to sense; to suspect; to get an inkling (of something); to get wind of; to smell (e.g. danger); to become aware of (e.g. a plot)
observance (of laws, rules, etc.); adherence; obeying; following; abiding by; compliance
to curry favour (with); to play up (to); to cozy up (to); to butter up
vigilantly (watching for an opportunity); eagerly; with an eagle eye
to take (be in) charge of
pride; self-confidence; thinking highly of oneself; being proud of one's abilities or achievements
sports ground; sports oval
ripple (on water); wavelets; ripple (e.g. of uneasiness); unrest; disturbance
to boil up; to come to the boil; to arise; to break out; to get excited; to be in uproar
movements; behavior; behaviour; bearing; deportment; manners
exposure; laying bare; baring (e.g. skin); (photographic) exposure
sending home; repatriation; deportation
election; selection; choice
occupation (e.g. of territory); exclusive possession
to gather momentum; to gather strength; (for a trend) to reach a peak
up to now; so far; traditional; conventional; usual
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
daydream; fantasy; fancy; vision
to stand in the way (esp. with legs spread out); to block the way; to stand in the way (e.g. of progress); to obstruct
to die out; to peter out; to become extinct; to cease; to be stopped; to be discontinued
to arrange beforehand; to make a sign to each other; to conspire
to be stumped; to be at a loss; to be at one's wits' end; to be fed up; to be tired (of); to be unable to bear
audience; spectator; spectators
unbearable; intolerable; insufferable
some nerve (as in 'you must have some nerve to ...')
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
to flatter; to curry favor with; to curry favour with; to flirt with (woman with a man); to make eyes at (a man)
to lower the curtain; to come to an end