gradually; by degrees; little by little; step by step
talk (esp. by a talk-show host, or by a stage musician to the audience between songs); banter; talk show; toque
to get (someone's) help; to ask for help
diligent; earnest; attentive to detail; brisk (working, moving); frequent (e.g. checking)
development; growth; development (of a situation, story, etc.); advancement; playing around (sexually; esp. of a male homosexual); having an active sex life
present age; present day; contemporary; modern era; modern times; contemporary era
hesitation; wavering; faltering; balking; recoil; flinching
going to bed; retiring (for the night)
the proof of the pudding is in the eating; the proof is in the pudding; don't knock it till you've tried it; you can't tell unless you try
quietly; calmly; comfortably; peacefully
suitable time; good time; propriety; moderation
idea; thought; discretion; forgiveness; pardon
(unlikely event of) emergency; the worst(-case scenario); (lit.) 10000 to 1; (if) by some chance; by some possibility; in the unlikely event that
exchange (e.g. cultural); interchange; interaction; alternating current; AC
threat; bird-scaring device (scarecrow, gun, etc.)
long-awaited; long-waited-for; someone who has waited a long time; something that one has waited impatiently for
mark; guide; purpose; aim; sight (on a firearm)
first time; first innings; initial attempt; first; initial
superb piece of work; masterpiece; exquisite item; perfection; unique article
many; numerous; various; large number of
understanding completely; understanding all there is to know
one person; being alone; being by oneself; being single; being unmarried; by oneself
to get late; to advance; to wear on
love story; romance; love affair
to restore one's energy; to restore one's spirits; to recharge one's batteries
local specialty; local special dish
convalescence; recovering from an illness; recuperating
stamina; energy; stamina-boosting (esp. of meat dishes containing raw egg yolks, garlic, Chinese chives, etc.)
see!; didn't I tell you (this would happen)?
fish-based cooking; fish dish
bright; intelligent; clever; smart
road; load; loading (a program or data into memory); Lord; Lord (title of members of the British nobility)
to be flabbergasted; to be dumbfounded
to lie down; to throw oneself down
mille crêpes (cake made from layers of crêpes)
fondant au chocolat; chocolate fondant
mud; (wet) dirt; thief; Android (mobile operating system)
this, that and the other; this and that
anguished; distressed; worried; horny
good-for-nothing; spineless; gutless; spiritless; feckless; pluckless
to have one's eye caught on something; to have one's attention drawn to something
object of romantic interest; potential love interest
close (e.g. in terms of relationship); intimate