to bend backwards; to bend oneself back; to be taken aback
to distance oneself (from); to keep (something or someone) at a distance; to maintain a distance (from)
in proportion to; just as much as
to shorten the distance (between); to close the gap (e.g. on the leader); to get closer (e.g. to someone); to close in (on)
to collapse; to crumble; to get out of shape; to lose one's shape; to break down; to be thrown into disarray; to crash (stock market)
splendid; praiseworthy; admirable; well done!; bravo!
(just) out of curiosity; (just) in order to satisfy one's curiosity; aimed chiefly at amusing; sensational (e.g. magazine)
in the course of one's duties
secret; secrecy; mystery; secret (e.g. to success); esoteric teachings
extent; scope; sphere; range; span
in range; within the limits (of...); within (a) range
to be vague; to speak ambiguously; to be evasive; to not commit oneself
diligently; seriously; perfectly; properly; sufficiently; satisfactorily
to wear a mask; to hide one's true intentions
nice; likeable; desirable
very; extremely; excessively
with a clatter; with a fling (opening a door, window, etc.); bright and clear (weather, sky, etc.); perfectly (fine weather); nicely dry (laundry, air, etc.); crisply (fried, cooked, etc.); cheerfully
flapping (of a flag, fan, etc.); fluttering; pitter-patter (of footsteps); quickly (making progress); in quick succession
to crush to death; to stifle to death; to squeeze to death; to stifle (a laugh, etc.); to muffle (one's breathing); to subdue (one's voice)
(sound of) laughter; laughing voice
garden; yard; courtyard; field (of action); area
topic; subject; much talked about; topical; in the news
to colour; to color; to apply make-up; to decorate; to garnish
in spite of; nevertheless; although; despite; no matter the; regardless of
flowers; beautiful; spectacular
appreciation (of art, music, poetry, etc.)
slanting; tilted; sloping; distorted (feeling); slanted (e.g. view of the world); bad (mood)
pout; displeasure; ill humor; ill humour; sullenness
blunder; slip; error; error
to detain; to check; to restrain
imagination; supposition; guess
to hurry; to rush; to hasten; to make something happen sooner
to fall into disgrace with; to incur someone's displeasure
cannot (due to external circumstances); cannot afford to; must not; impossible to; no way one can (do)
seeming; giving the appearance of; giving one the feeling of
in terms of both ... and ...; from the perspective of ... as well as ...; whether it be ... or ...
anger; rage; fury; wrath; indignation
to make fun of; to look down on; to make light of
frustrated (over a failure, humiliation or injustice); annoyed; chagrined; (bitterly) disappointed; bitter; vexed
to pretend not to see; to turn one's back on
to run into; to rush into; to (run and) seek refuge in; to take shelter in
drawing room; parlor; parlour; guest room