unreliable; uncertain; indefinite; unclear
charm; incantation; spell; magic formula
to read and understand; to take in; to sense from external cues; to read (someone's) mind; to read (calibration, tape, etc.); to scan (bar code)
concealment; hiding; ambush; incubation; latency; dormancy
cripple; disabled person; invalid
obstacle; impediment; hindrance; handicap; impairment; disability
quite capable of ...; could happen; not unlikely to
latest; most recent; nearest (in time)
riskiness; (level of) danger
connection; attachment; changing trains; conjunction
to be surprised; to be amazed; to be frightened; surprise (e.g. surprise party)
to catch; to capture; to catch hold of (someone); to stop (e.g. a stranger in the street); towards (someone); at (someone)
to make sure of; to assure oneself of; to see with one's own eyes; to ascertain
to slip into; to crawl into (under); to conceal oneself (under); to sneak into; to infiltrate
to turn back; to go back; to come back; to return; to retrace one's steps
to be used up; to be run out; to be exhausted; to be consumed; to come to an end
cannot be helped; unavoidable
beyond this point; from now on; after this
overlooking; looking down at; having an overhead view; having a bird's-eye view; having a high-angle view
opinion; point of view; visual point
to haul in (hand over hand); to pull in; to draw in; to trace (history, threads of a story, etc.); to retrace (e.g. memories); to go over
to crouch; to squat; to cower
inner thoughts; real intention; at heart; deep down; inner center (centre)
status; position; method; way; rule; regulation
shell (of crab, tortoise, etc.); carapace; person's back; years of experience
to sound shrill (of a voice); to sound high-pitched and excited; to get excited; to become restless; to be thrown too high; to come in high
to deepen; to heighten; to intensify
now (while the time is ripe); while one still can
to move back; to draw back; to lessen; to subside; to resign; to retire
timid; weak-kneed; fainthearted; bearish (e.g. market)
good-for-nothing; spineless; gutless; spiritless; feckless; pluckless
valid; proper; right; appropriate; reasonable
the entire strength; all hands; all the members
retreat; withdrawal; retirement
after this; from now on; hereafter; thereafter; since (then); after
whispering; whisper; secret talk; murmur
with a snap; with a crack
brittle; fragile; weak; tender-hearted; sentimental; easily moved
fearfully; timidly; nervously; cautiously; gingerly