trying to think of a way (to); devising means (to); working out (how to do); contriving (to raise money); managing
doubt; misgivings; distrust; suspicion
to get cloudy; to cloud over; to cloud up; to fog up; to be gloomy; to be clouded (expression)
indicates uncertainty or second hand nature of information quoted
the facts; the truth; the true state of affairs; in truth; in fact; in reality
to feel around for; to fumble for; to investigate; to probe into; to explore (parts unknown); to enjoy (natural beauty)
powerful; strong; forceful; reassuring; encouraging
arm; skill; efforts; ability
first-class; top grade; characteristic; peculiar; school (e.g. of a performance art); one flag
to put to use; to make good use of; to exploit
confident; full of confidence; cocky; full of oneself
actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.); (on) site; (on) the ground; filming location; (movie) set
veteran; battle-worn; schooled by adversity in many battles; rich in experience
skill; dexterity; master hand
first-person plural (or singular); second or third person plural (implies speaker is of higher status than those referred to)
to keep company; to listen to; to associate with; to play against (e.g. a team); to take on (e.g. a rival)
natural (e.g. talent); innate; inborn; inherent
difficult; tough; formidable; redoubtable; stubborn
to fall behind; to lag behind; to lose (race, contest)
refutation; rebuttal; retort
to say enough (as much as required); to say plenty; to say well; to say cleverly; to say often; to say frequently
the proof of the pudding is in the eating; (lit.) evidence is better than debate
the minute (that) ...; no sooner than ...; as soon as; whether or not
toes; tips of the toes; toe of a shoe, sock, etc.
to kick; to refuse; to reject; to stamp (on the ground); to firmly press one's feet (against something)
surprise attack; surprise visit; catching a person off guard
at once; right away; promptly; on the spur of the moment
getting closer; drawing nearer; being not much different; being near (age, skill, etc.); becoming close (i.e. friendly); becoming intimate
to mow down; to scythe down; to knock someone off their feet
response (felt in the hands); resistance; reaction; response; effect
to peel; to skin; to pare; to hull; to bare (e.g. fangs); to open wide (e.g. eyes)
cool; chilly; feeling nice and cold
shuddering; shivering; trembling; being horrified; being disgusted
to hold one's breath (in fear, anxiety, etc.)
rudeness; impoliteness; discourtesy; insolence
hah (derisively); pooh; pfft (of something disappearing); poof; huff; puff
to blow (of the wind); to blow (one's breath); to breathe out; to play (a wind instrument); to blow (a whistle, trumpet, etc.); to emit (smoke, fire, etc.); to spout
return gift; return favour (favor); revenge; change (in a cash transaction)
base of the throat; bottom of the neck
to finger; to touch; to play with; to grope; to feel around (in one's pocket, bag, etc.)
obi; kimono sash; paper wrapper on books, CDs, etc.; band; belt; cingulum
to shine; to be visible; to be tinged with; to rise (of water levels); to flow in; to be felt (i.e. as an emotion); to come over one
to be lost (e.g. luggage); to be missing; to be used up; to be run out; to disappear (e.g. pain); to be lost (e.g. a dream, confidence)
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
drawing a katana and attacking in the same stroke; doing (something) suddenly and without warning; doing without prior notice