pleased to make your acquaintance
higher rank; better position
to entertain; to make welcome
to have no chance (of succeeding)
... is the reason; ... is my excuse
shackles; fetters; irons; bonds (e.g. family); ties; binding relationship
restriction; restraint; limitation; limit
all doors closed; blocked in every direction; cornered
hospitality; reception; treatment; (light) refreshment; entertaining with food and drink; treat
principle; aim; purport; gist; instructions; orders
preservation; retainment; keeping
to fret (over); to brood (about); to mope; worriedly; (fretting) constantly; (worrying) over this and that
shameful; disgraceful; indecent; unseemly; unbecoming; improper
feeling good; feeling at ease; feeling easy
if you don't mind; if you like; if you feel up for it; if you're interested
wise; sagacious; intelligent; sensible
prohibition; ban; embargo
the trouble is that ...; the problem is that ...; unfortunately; annoyingly
asking; enquiring; searching; looking for
phone trace; detecting the source of a telephone call
that is to say; so that means
to disappear into; to slip into; to be lost in; to be mixed up with
dripping with sweat; doing something by the sweat of one's brow
trying to think of a way (to); devising means (to); working out (how to do); contriving (to raise money); managing
snapping back (at someone); lashing out (despite being in the wrong); counterblast; counteroffensive; backlash
cavity; hollow; void; hollow (voice, smile, etc.); blank (eyes, look, etc.); vacant (expression, stare, etc.)
the one before last; two generations, etc. previous
to open one's eyes wide (in anger, surprise, etc.); to goggle at
shoe; shoes; boots; footwear; footgear
business discussion; negotiation
plan to overcome an obstacle or break out of a deadlock; breakthrough solution