to gather; to collect; to assemble
so to speak; so to call it; as it were; in a sense
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
assembly hall; meeting place; venue; site; grounds
just (now, at the moment, etc.); just as; in the act of; as soon as; at the moment that
even though; despite; when
poor-looking; impoverished-looking; scrawny (e.g. figure); thin-looking; sparse (e.g. meal)
after all; in the end; anyway; (cannot) possibly; (not) at all; (not) by any means
rural area; countryside; the sticks; hometown
scornful laughter; ridicule; derision; sneer
to trap (into a difficult situation); to put (in a fix); to capture (a castle, fortress, etc.); to take; to drop (something) into
to dominate; to prevail; to be superior to; to get ahead of; to get the upper hand
duty; obligation; responsibility
even if; no matter (what); if; though; although; supposing
sacrifice; victim (esp. someone killed); casualty; sacrifice (to a deity)
to try to do; to attempt to do
to make a fist; to clench one's fist
to tie; to fasten; to wear (necktie, belt); to put on; to total; to sum; to be strict with
to make a speech; to address
to conquer (e.g. an enemy); to defeat; to overcome (a difficulty); to out-hit
to be visible; to be clear; to be evident; to be certain
strong pressure; heavy pressure
because; the reason is; if you want to know why
to spill over and fall; to scatter (petals, leaves, etc.)
first place (in a race); first to arrive; one suit (of clothes); one item (of clothing); putting on (formal clothes); wearing
clothes; garment; gown; robe; coating (e.g. glaze, batter, icing)
vivid; bright; brilliant; skillful; skilful; adroit
life-size; life-sized; true-to-life; faithful (depiction); realistic
card (with a message written on it)
(on a) closer look; closer scrutiny; second look
to garnish; to accompany (as a card does a gift); to add to as support; to prop up; to accompany (as an aid, guide, translator, etc.); (arch.) to mimic
to take in one's hand; to pick up; to obtain
aid; assistance; help; cheering; rooting (for); support
with a start; in surprise; suddenly (realize, remember, etc.); all of a sudden; puffing (air); with a puff
boorish; unrefined; rustic; uncouth; clumsy; brusque
letter (of an alphabet); character; writing
tightly (hold, squeeze, etc.); firmly; forcefully (e.g. push); hard
to hold; to carry; to embrace (in one's arms)
ordinary; sensible; commonplace
for oneself; for one's own sake; on one's own account
carefree; free from worry
suddenly; at once; considerably; very much; firmly; with an effort