the dark side; the seamy side
to return to normal; to revert to the starting point; to go back to how it was
pay; salary; to pay (off); to be profitable; heroin
to spend; to expend; to waste; to squander; to devote
upper class; upper echelons of society; the rich and powerful; the elite
you could say; you might say; verging on the
confections; sweets; candy; cake
to lead (a) life (usu. preceded by the type of life)
to etch into one's mind; to remember well
relationship; relation; terms (good, friendly, etc.)
to take advantage of; to follow blindly; to multiply
to tear off; to pluck; to scratch off
to hold a thing in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to embrace (e.g. a baby); to take upon oneself; to be saddled with
servant; manservant; menial
invitation; introduction; temptation
by all rights; properly speaking; legally speaking
still more; even more; much more; increased; greater
gatekeeper; door guard; doorman; concierge; janitor
to find out; to discover; to locate
order (for an item); request; demand; condition
inhabitant; resident; citizen; population
top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
helplessly; easily; without resistance; without regret
hiding; concealing; being hidden; pocket
number of days; period of days; daily interest rate
barren; sterile; infertile; unproductive (e.g. discussion); fruitless
breadwinner; biggest earner
lively; active; vigorous; animated; brisk
custom; practice; said; aforementioned; instance; example
in search of; in order to look for
appointment (to a position, job, etc.); being used for a role; promotion
to doubt; to think (something is) doubtful; to wonder; to be suspicious
beneficial; profitable; useful; helpful; instructive
violence; reckless action; (an) outrage
overlooking; turning a blind eye
opposition; rebellion; rebounding; recoiling; rally (e.g. in stock prices); recovery
clique; group; (political) faction; wing; school; sect
support; backing; endorsement; support; holding up; propping
to rise (suddenly) in the world (to a higher position)
meeting; conference; session; assembly; council; convention