beginning; outset; first; onset
positive; assertive; active; proactive; aggressive
it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
flaring up; bursting into flames
now that you say that; now that you mention it
to place one's arm around each other's shoulders; to join shoulders
sneakily; secretly; stealthily; on the sly
contents; content; substance; matter; detail; import
to be submerged; to be soaked; to be pickled; to be well seasoned; to be totally immersed (in a condition, e.g. laziness)
certainly; without fail; right and wrong; pros and cons
with a start; with a jump
to put to use; to make good use of; to exploit
apron; apron (airport); apron (stage)
wearing (e.g. uniform, seat belt); having on
complete; completion; perfection; accomplishment
to sigh; to breathe a sigh
what I want to say is ...; the fact of the matter is ...; none other than ...
request; favour (to ask); wish; please
it is I who should say so
it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
absurd; unreasonable; excessive; very; extremely; excessively
to scratch; to perspire; to shovel; to paddle
single word; a few words; brief comment
willingness (e.g. to do something); eagerness; motivation; inspiration; determination; high aspirations
exposed; scanty; bare; public; open
to begin; to set about; to start
to have been decided (so) that; to have been arranged (so) that
to cut; to cut through; to sever (connections, ties); to turn off (e.g. the light); to terminate (e.g. a conversation); to hang up (the phone); to punch (a ticket)
matter; affair; counter for (received) emails, text messages, voicemail messages, etc.; counter for accounts (on a website, email service, etc.)
even if ...; even supposing that ...; also as ...; also for ...; also from the position of ...
trouble; bother; trouble; difficulty; care; attention
saucepan; pot; stew; hot pot
to put in; to let in; to admit; to accept; to accept; to comply; to include
main constituent; core; nucleus; subject (philosophical); protagonist
briskly; quickly; promptly
(much) more than others; exceedingly; extremely; unusually
to move; to shift; to inspire; to rouse; to change; to alter; to operate
washing (esp. dishes and laundry)
to use one's influence; to pull strings; to take measures; to make the necessary preparations
to lose; to be defeated; to succumb; to give in; to be inferior to; to break out in a rash due to (e.g. lacquer, shaving, etc.)
equally (talented, etc.); evenly; neck and neck; nip and tuck
kitchen knife; carving knife; (arch.) cooking; (arch.) food
lasting quality; good wearing ability; going a long way