serious; not joking; straight
something; what; why; how
mixture of fact and fiction; half-truth
to blow into; to breathe into; to inspire; to indoctrinate; to record (music, video, etc.)
to part (usu. of people); to part from; to separate (of a couple); to break up; to lose (e.g. one's mother); to be bereaved
reins; bridle; control; the reins (on)
like it or not; like or not like
to be of no concern to one; to be nothing to do with one
none of your business!; don't bother me!; keep out of it!
charm; attractiveness; courtesy; ingratiating behaviour; entertainment; amusement
on good terms with; on cordial terms with; getting along well with; to make friends with; to be good friends with; to get along with
advantage; benefit; merit; good point; plus
to address (someone); to accost a person; to talk (to someone); to begin to talk; to start a conversation
trend; tendency; movement; attitude
grasp; catch; understanding
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it,...; I mean
individual; separate; personal; case-by-case
land mine; topic that sets someone off; sensitive topic; something that seems fine at first but turns out to be very bad (e.g. product, business); booby trap
throne; crown; government position; court rank; social standing; rank; grade (of quality, etc.)
manners; courtesy; etiquette
administrative; businesslike; practical; impersonal; perfunctory; robot-like
disgust; hate; repugnance; loathing
target; object (of worship, study, etc.); subject (of taxation, etc.)
to do something by choice; to like; to be fond of
some people; a few people; several people
classroom; lecture room; department (in a university); class; lessons; school (for a particular discipline)
being left out; being excluded; being ostracized
to ill-treat; to bully; to torment; to be tough on (e.g. one's body); to treat harshly
mind; spirit; attitude; mentality; spirit (of a matter); essence
to commit (e.g. crime); to perpetrate; to break (e.g. rule); to violate; to rape; to violate
uncool; unsophisticated; unfashionable; out of fashion; tacky
to recognize; to recognise; to deem; to judge; to approve; to deem acceptable; to admit
hobby; pastime; tastes; preference; liking
complete denial; complete disavowal; total negation
(sense of) cleanliness; (sense of) freshness
slovenly (appearance, work, etc.); sloppy; untidy; weak; feeble; weak-willed