contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
possibly; apparently; (seem) likely; somehow or other; with difficulty; barely
to coax; to cajole; to wheedle; to roll up and put into (something); to bundle up
at that time; at that moment; then; on that occasion
to be commonly referred to as; as people say; as the saying is; they say
distant look; faraway look
sure; no mistaking it; for certain; without doubt
just because; even if; even though
after school (at the end of the day)
purpose; goal; aim; objective; intention
to forget; to leave carelessly; to be forgetful of; to forget about; to forget (an article)
twice; again; second time
to pull oneself together; to collect oneself (after a failure); to regain control (of oneself)
to strengthen; to emphasize; to emphasise
of course; certainly; naturally
reconciliation; make peace with
clearly; plainly; distinctly; to be clear; to be definite; to be certain
to sever relations (with somebody; esp. a relative or spouse); to break off (with)
difficult; hard; impossible; unfeasible; fussy; particular; gloomy
to cling to; to hang onto; to rely on; to depend on; to implore; to entreat
perhaps; probably; generous; many; much
boy; son; baby boy; young man
to protect; to guard; to defend; to keep (i.e. a promise); to abide (by the rules); to observe
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to deep-fry
I'm afraid to say; I'm sorry to say; unfortunately
direction; district; area; field (e.g. of study); sphere; quarter
above anything else; above all; more than anything; best; greatest; excellent
to have been decided (so) that; to have been arranged (so) that; to be the result (of); to be the outcome; to be the reason (for)
in the first place; to begin with; after all; anyway; beginning; start
iron wall; impregnable fortress; impregnable; invulnerable; unassailable
protection; defense; providence; amulet; charm
how; in what way; by what means
breaking through; breakthrough; surmounting; overcoming; exceeding; passing
suddenly; casually; accidentally; incidentally; unexpectedly; unintentionally
to go by; to cross; to pass by; to flash across
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
to grant someone's request
to put in; to let in; to admit; to accept; to accept; to comply; to include
near; neighbourhood; nearly (e.g. "it took nearly one year"); close to; shortly; soon
diligently; seriously; perfectly; properly; sufficiently; satisfactorily
loveable; very likeable; like very much
naivete; simplicity; innocence
virtue; charm; merit; good point
dangerous; in danger; facing imminent danger; precarious (situation); perilous (state, balance, etc.); in doubt