just to make sure; just to be sure; for confirmation; just in case; for caution's sake; by way of precaution
to pull (the puppet) strings; to direct things from behind the scenes; to stretch out (and keep going); to linger on
guest of honour; guest of honor; privileged guest; visitor
not knowing what's what; being unable to make heads or tails
putting one's hands behind one's back; having one's hands behind one's back; behind; rear; back
impatience; irritation; frustration; fretfulness
to squeeze out; to wring out
rebuilding; reconstruction; rehabilitation; protoform reconstruction
guidance; lead; introduction; good offices; guide; primer
tragedy; tragic drama; tragic play; tragedy; calamity; disaster
(outward) appearance; (proper) format (e.g. of an essay); form; appearances; decency; lip-service
spring; springtime; New Year; prime (of life); height (of one's prosperity); adolescence
vassal state; vassal nation; dependency
luxury; extravagance; to live in luxury; to indulge oneself; lavish (use of something); abundant
to invite in; to show someone in
killing two birds with one stone
(in the) palm of someone's hand; (under) someone's complete control; (at) someone's mercy
to dance (orig. a hopping dance); to be manipulated; to dance to someone's tune
genuine article; real thing; real deal
to take advantage of; to impose on; to exploit; to enter (an item in a ledger); to make an entry (in an account book)
to have a talk; to tell a story
to be shut; to close; to be locked; to tighten; to be tightened; to become sober
to reseat oneself; to correct one's posture
to jump at; to leap at; to fly at; to spring at; to pounce on
(being) empty-handed; lapse of manners of paying a visit without taking a gift
birth (of a person); nativity; creation; formation; one's first birthday
commemoration; celebration; remembrance; memento; souvenir; keepsake
celebration; celebratory event; congratulatory gift; tip; gratuity
to be given; to be granted; to be honored with; to give; to bestow; to confer
to sheathe one's sword; to lay down arms; to bury the hatchet
connection; link; relationship
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
intolerable; unbearable; tremendous; out of this world; cannot help (doing); cannot but do
on the surface; ostensibly; superficially; apparently
compensation; equivalent value; consideration
to spring; to bound; to be stimulated; to be encouraged; to pay handsomely; to splurge
exactly the same; exactly as is; without any change