at the critical moment; when the time comes; when it's most important; when necessary; in an emergency; when push comes to shove
at a loss for words; stumped for words
no matter how you put it; whatever the circumstances may be; say what you like; no matter how you look at it
leaving someone behind; abandoning someone; marooning someone
to be on the verge; to be on the brink; to get close
arbitrarily; of its own accord; without asking; voluntarily; willfully; as one pleases
baggage; luggage; burden; albatross around one's neck; excess baggage
to be contrary (to); to go against; to infringe; to violate; to disobey (an order, teachings, etc.); to defy
indifferent; half-hearted; dispirited; listless
to make an appeal; to urge
obstacle; hindrance; impediment; nuisance; bore; burden
tail and fins; embellishment (of a story, rumor, etc.); exaggeration
hateful; detestable; abominable; amazing; fantastic; admirable
wish; desire; hope; prospect; expectation; (one's) hopes
coward; weakling; scaredy cat; wimp; sissy
self-abasement; self-depreciation; humility
to get strong; to gain strength
spear; lance; javelin; lance; (arch.) jeering
stabbing (repeatedly); piercing; (words) cutting to the heart; striking home; loose; sloppy
to resonate emotionally (with one); to strike home (words, etc.); (lit.) to stab in the chest
to sow; to plant; to sow (the seeds of; e.g. conflict); to sprinkle (gold or silver powder on lacquerware)
selfish; self-centred; egotistical
half-crying; being on the verge of crying
suspicious; doubtful; dubious; questionable; fishy
thickly; heavily; richly; severely; strongly
to rake over the coals; to scold; to chastise; to burn moxa on the skin
(really) terrible; awful; (very) nasty; (extremely) harsh; severe
dustbin of history; ash heap of history; obscurity; long-forgotten memory
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
to jest; to joke; to play the fool; to act indecently; to be silly over
to find a clear solution; to come to a clean decision; to give a clear explanation; to divide exactly (without remainder); to divide evenly
to forgive and forget; to let bygones be bygones; to sweep under the carpet; to wipe the slate clean
atonement; the Atonement (of Jesus Christ)
to bend sharply; to twist; to contort; to curl
sweet voice; seductive voice
preventing (someone) from leaving; confinement; keeping indoors; being stranded; grounding
going to and from school; school commute