serious; honest; sober; grave; earnest; steady
verbal gaffe; verbal slip; slip of the tongue; using improper words
dramatic (improvement); remarkable (difference); marked; (far) better; exceptional
to abate; to decrease; to diminish; to shorten
advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint
to tread on thin ice; to go out on a limb; to walk a tightrope; to take risks; (lit.) to cross a dangerous bridge
assumed innocence; feigned ignorance
racing (of an engine); spinning one's wheels; running idle; fruitless effort; going nowhere; going round in circles