from time immemorial; ancient; time-honoured; time-honored
to the end; to the bitter end; to the last; after all; it must be remembered; only
laws and regulations; legislation
to be on the verge of; to be about to; to be on the point of
no more than; just; only; mere; goes no further than
ominous; sinister; (arch.) annoying; (arch.) appearing to be true; (arch.) plausible
diversion; appropriation (e.g. of funds); misappropriation; re-use (e.g. old computer parts); recycling
to come out; to appear; to turn up; to emerge
little less than; slightly fewer than; just under; weakness; the weak
charm; incantation; spell; magic formula
responsibility; duty; obligation
reason; cause; circumstances
indeed; really; absolutely; truly; actually; very
(many) trees; every tree; all kinds of trees
(tree) trunk; (arrow) shaft; (tool) handle; backbone; base
straight; quickly; quietly; gently; to feel refreshed; to feel satisfied
originally; essentially; naturally; in the first place; to begin with
order; discipline; regularity; system; method
failing to properly evaluate the (relative) importance (of); putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the cause for the end; mistaking the insignificant for the essential; getting one's priorities backwards
useless object; deadwood; white elephant; boondoggle
insight; discernment; perception; perspicacity; acumen
admiration; being impressed (by)
feeling guilty; having a guilty conscience; having qualms about
average; medium; mid-grade (item); regular grade; same level as; equal to
to be talented; to be able
(not) anywhere; nowhere; everywhere; anywhere
approval; license; licence; permission
what is called; as it is called; the so-called; so to speak
foundation; base; basis; from the beginning; from the outset; by nature
art; technique; means; way; trick; trap
use; exercise (of one's right, authority, power, etc.)
ability; competency; talent; skill; capacity
substantial matter; significant item
order; observance; discipline; rules; law; regulations
acting as a group; doing something together (in a group); collective action
exaggeration; overstatement; saying too much; misstatement; slip of the tongue; gaffe
two people alike; two of a kind; kissing cousins; cut from the same cloth
to save; to rescue; to help; to assist; to support (financially); to contribute (to)