almost; very nearly; only just; barely; just in time
to defend against; to protect against; to prevent; to avert; to avoid
to take precautions; to set a guard against attack
pardon; forgiveness; forbearance
to rise; to raise up; to straighten up; to sit up; to stand up
to attract; to draw near; to charm; to attract; to have a convulsion
arrangements; plan; programme; program; preparations
you must be kidding; hey, come on!; surely not!
leaf; blade (of grass); (pine) needle; marijuana; cannabis
mumblingly; mutteringly; unintelligibly
misdeed; wrongdoing; wickedness
to be fit (for a role); to be qualified (for); to be equal (to a task); to be able to fulfill one's duties (as)
fate; destiny; connection; tie; pretext; justification
fixed fitting (esp. window)
head (of a household, etc.); leader; owner; proprietor; subject (of a rumour, etc.); doer (of a deed); guardian spirit (e.g. long-resident beast, usu. with mystical powers)
to distinguish; to discern; to make out; to tell
to stray into; to lose one's way (and enter); to wander into
small; small-sized; small-scale; miniature
to carry (something) under cover; to carry concealed
by all means; at all costs; absolutely
willingness (e.g. to do something); eagerness; motivation; inspiration; determination; high aspirations
warming (limbering) up; warming-up exercises
to have stiff shoulders; to feel ill at ease; to feel uncomfortable; serious; sober
clever; shrewd; canny; smart; quick; prompt
exercise; physical training; appeal; campaign; motion; movement
now that you say that; now that you mention it
to pity; to feel sympathy for; to sympathize with; to sympathise with; to commiserate with; to have mercy on
bending and stretching; flexing and extending
secret; private; surreptitious
guidance; leading; induction; introduction; incitement; inducement
suitable; satisfactory; desirable
old friend; old acquaintance
to succeed; to relieve; to take the place of; to substitute for; to be exchanged; to change (places with)
all over the country; everywhere in the country; throughout the nation
revealing (information, a secret, etc.); disclosure; telling; letting out
right to decide; having say (in a decision)
second; number two; runner-up
(cannot) possibly; (not) by any means; (not) at all; utterly; absolutely
thin; skinny; delicate; fragile; feeble
nonsense; no meaning; meaningless
to bite at; to snap at; to nibble; to get one's teeth into (metaphorically); to get to grips with; to really get into