going backward; turning back; backtracking; retrogression; relapse; returning to a bad state
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
phantom; vision; illusion; extremely rare item
pattern; figure; state; condition; conjecture of the current situation; the way it seems; model
exceptional; unusual; special; especially; exceptionally; unusually
same; similar; (just) like; equal
pretext; history; past; according to ...; ... says
to drive mad; to make insane; to cause a malfunction; to put out of order; to derail (a plan, etc.)
toy; (person or thing treated as a) plaything
to put oneself on guard; to stand ready; to square off
invitation; introduction; temptation
to bewilder; to perplex; to puzzle; to tempt; to seduce
step; stride; counter for steps
to draw near; to draw closer; to press (e.g. for an answer); to hound
serious; severe; grave; acute
continuation; rest (of the story, work, etc.); flow (e.g. of a piece of writing); pacing (of a story); succession (of); sequence
hmmm; uh-huh; murmur indicating approval, comprehension, etc.
to confuse (someone); to befuddle; to bewilder; to mystify; to throw up a smokescreen; (lit.) to surround with smoke
to be no match for (e.g. outclassed in authority, strength or in debt to); to be unable to act on an equal basis with
first meeting; first interview with
to see eye to eye; to be on the same wavelength; to talk the same language
year; age; years; past one's prime; old age
nature; property; disposition
being extremely fond of; having a weakness for; having no eye for; being a poor judge of; having no chance (of succeeding)
when it comes to ...; where ... is concerned; if it's the case that ...; if it turns out that ...; if it's true that ...
excuse me; pardon me; I'm sorry; thank you
to bend oneself forward (esp. in curiosity or excitement); to hang out (e.g. over a balcony)
mystery; mysteriousness; secret
gradually (progress into a state); in sequence; in order; in turn
foolish; nonsensical; absurd; ridiculous; trifling
bizarre; strange; weird; grotesque
to chip (off); to shave (off); to slice (off); to dampen (e.g. enthusiasm); to discourage; to weaken
fervour; fervor; vigour; vigor; ardour; ardor