scrubbing hard; scrubbing clean
to get the hang of; to learn the secret to
dumbfounded; overcome with surprise; in blank amazement; in a daze
to end; to be finished; to die; to perish; to do utterly; to do completely
wistful; desirous of; hungry-looking; greedy-looking
to content oneself with; to be resigned to (one's fate); to be contented (satisfied) with (one's lot)
to insert; to put between; to tuck (into)
to let (something or someone) go past; to do too much
brink; verge; critical moment; crucial moment
to dam up; to hold back; to keep back; to stem (an activity); to check (e.g. progress)
to extend; to expand; to spread out
to break; to snap; to be injured; to wear out; to be worn out; to break; to burst
to be in high spirits; to be full of vigor (vigour); to be enthusiastic; to be eager; to stretch to breaking point
to clear up; to clear away; to refresh (e.g. spirits); to be cleared (e.g. of a suspicion); to be dispelled; to be banished
lump; mass; group; crowd; embodiment (of an idea, quality, feeling etc.); personification
to be in the news; to be talked about; to become a popular topic of conversation; to become the talk of the town; to become topical
suitable age (esp. for marriage); marriageable age
small; little; tiny; insignificant; humble; modest
to grant (request, wish); to answer (prayer); to make come true (e.g. a dream); to realize; to fulfill
there is no need to ...; it should hardly be necessary to ...
shout; cry; outcry; yell; shriek; scream
echo; reverberation; response; reaction; repercussions