sound; noise; note; fame; Chinese-derived character reading
boo! (sound used to scare someone); ugh (dissatisfaction, aggravation); ulp (consternation)
how many years; how long; what year
swing; shake; appearance; behaviour; pretence (pretense); show; going to restaurant, hotel etc. without a reservation or introduction
pure; genuine; trueborn; natural-born
to slide; to slip off; to get dislocated; to be out of alignment; to get dislodged; to deviate
to play with (a toy, one's hair, etc.); to fiddle with; to toy with (one's emotions, etc.); to trifle with; to do with something as one pleases; to appreciate
incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; I don't get it; I'm confused; I'm lost
backward glance; sidelong glance; faceless ghost with an eye in its rump
nonchalant air; unruffled air
thankfully; fortunately; luckily; thanks to your (his, their, everyone's, etc.) kindness; thanks to your assistance; thanks to your support
to draw back; to sink; to be set back (e.g. from a road); to withdraw (e.g. from the public eye); to retire to (somewhere)
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
repentance; confession; penitence
unworthy; unbecoming; improper
(living) sacrifice; victim; scapegoat
to be solved; to be resolved; to loosen; to come untied; to be removed (of restrictions); to be lifted (e.g. a ban)
(period of) a year; during an era
individual differences; personal equation
to render futile; to bring to naught; to waste; to not make good use of
or; either ... or; maybe; perhaps; some ... and others ...; sometimes ... and at other times ...
matter being discussed (e.g. in a private conversation); our side of the story (in contrast to another's version)
erratic; offbeat; wild; extraordinary
leaping; activity; leapfrog (over a problem); making a leap (e.g. in logic); making great strides; making rapid progress
participation in a war; going to war; taking part in a competition or contest
when it comes to ...; where ... is concerned; if it's the case that ...; if it turns out that ...; if it's true that ...
at a disadvantage; in an unfavourable position; having poor prospects; standing little chance
zealous; enthusiastic; ardent; fervent; keen; eager
to taste; to savor; to appreciate; to enjoy; to experience; to go through
something said for politeness' sake; diplomatic language; honeyed words; lip service; empty compliment
causing concern; (lit.) bad for the heart
and then; in addition to that; also; even so
tool; implement; means; furniture
manufacturing; processing; treatment; machining
to inlay; to insert; to plug in (to a formula); to immerse; to trick; to deceive
cane; walking stick; staff; wand
dangerous; risky; in danger; in jeopardy; uncertain; unreliable
imperial court; royal court
to dive (into or under water); to get under; to get into; to hide oneself (esp. from the government); to conceal oneself
impediment; burden; encumbrance; hindrance; drag