monopoly; monopolization; exclusivity; hogging; keeping to oneself
to hint at; to intimate; to suggest; to allude to; to imply
to intend; to be sure that
firing line; position where one is subject to questioning, criticism, etc.; in front of a flying arrow (fired by the enemy)
well; in good health; safe; free from accident
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
snobbery; snobbishness; philistinism; vulgar and ostentatious nature (disposition)
mediocre; ordinary; commonplace; banal
pride of place; most prominent; top-ranking
evaluation; criticism; commenting on; assessment; estimation
to pass the peak (of something); to get through the most difficult part; to be over the worst (e.g. an illness); to cross a pass
early dawn; grey of morning; gray of morning
one's personal belongings; one's vicinity; one's daily life; everyday necessities
from what I've heard; according to reports; from what they say
henchman; right-hand man; trusted confidant; inner circle
foreigner; stranger; outsider; alien
to cause trouble; to cause a disturbance
clever; smart; sharp (ear, etc.); sensitive; discerning
negotiations; discussions; connection
laughingstock; butt of ridicule
cautious; careful; shrewd; tactful; prudent; faultless
to intrude; to butt in; to meddle; to be forward; to be self-assertive; to show off
to keep one's mouth shut; to refuse to talk
investigation (e.g. by police or prosecutors); examination; inquiry; enquiry
questioning; interrogation; examination (of a witness)
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
inquiry; enquiry; investigation; (police) interview; questioning (e.g. witness, suspect); hearing
principle; aim; purport; gist; instructions; orders
minute (unit of time); fun (one tenth of a monme, 5.787 grains)
constant attendance; uninterrupted supervision; staying with someone all the time
unable to stomach; sticking in one's throat; displeased with
to walk about; to walk around; to walk to and fro; to pace around; to wander
like that; that way; thus
unexpectedly; surprisingly
making a person, pet, etc. wait (before being permitted to do something); postponement; putting on hold
off the mark; off base; misdirected; irrelevant
poor; pitiful; piteous; pitiable
to put on a bold front; to act big; to be unyielding; to act formally; to act stiffly
unwillingly; grudgingly; shaking head in refusal (like a child); no!; no no!
kind; cordial; hospitable; serious (of an illness)
jutting out (of bounds); being crowded out
undeserved good luck; luck of the devil; dumb luck; bad luck