topic of discussion; agenda
to take a step backward; to retreat a step; to back up
to come to nothing; to be in vain; to lead nowhere
valuable; worthwhile; worthy; worth doing
errand; mission; messenger; bearer; familiar spirit
unmistakable; evident; obvious; certain; beyond doubt
metal rod; metal bar; iron rod; iron club; iron staff with rings on top (traditionally used by night watchmen)
unexpected (but welcome) visitor; rare guest
to change sides; to double-cross; to betray; to roll over (in bed); to turn over
to feel chilly; to be afraid; to be frightened; to be nervous
profit; earnings; stroke of luck
making money; making a profit
buying (of stock, materials, etc.); purchasing; stocking; laying in; procurement
to pay for someone else (with the expectation of being reimbursed later); to lend someone the money to pay for (e.g. rent); to make a temporary payment on someone's behalf
casual; unconcerned; nonchalant; ordinary; normal; regular
for now; for the time being; for the present; though not quite satisfactorily; after a fashion
luxury grocery item (e.g. alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco); indulgence
counter; window; teller window; contact person; point of contact
source of information; intelligence source; message source
trade; buying and selling
market price; speculation (e.g. on stocks); reputation (according to conventional wisdom); estimation
making use of; application; practical use; operation (esp. of a boat); steering
gazing at (in wonderment)
promotion; advancement; rising in rank
to keep a promise; to keep one's word
to etch into one's mind; to remember well
general public; the masses
to appear on the market; to be in season (e.g. of fruit); to circulate widely; to make the rounds; to go around
stock; inventory; having in stock; being in stock
to gather up; to scrape up together; to rake
to run out of; to dry up; to be depleted; to hit the bottom; to bottom out
replenishment; supplementation; supplement; replacement; refilling
dispersion; breakup; variance; dispersion
to endure; to keep out (e.g. rain); to pull through; to get over; to surpass; to outdo