failing to properly evaluate the (relative) importance (of); putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the cause for the end; mistaking the insignificant for the essential; getting one's priorities backwards
doing something separately (from the group); going off on one's own
bell (often a large hanging bell); chime
adjacency; contiguity; being adjoined
the whole year's plans should be made on New Year's Day
still; much more; (not) yet; still a long way to go; still a long way off; not there yet
space on a page (e.g. in a newspaper); surface of paper; letter; writings
to wrinkle up (one's eyebrows, one's nose); to furrow; to crimple
fortune-telling; divination
good luck charm; uttered when using magic; abracadabra; presto
basics; fundamentals; basis; foundation
to take home; to carry home; to bring back home; to take out (e.g. food)
to combine; to join; to tie on; to attach with a knot; to bind (e.g. an address)
prayer (for something); supplication
inarticulate; not making oneself quite clear; slurring one's words; evasive
robbery; pillage; seizure; hijacking; plunder; extortion
to get back; to regain; to recover; to make up (for); to catch up on
to differ a little (esp. of two or several versions)
one's fate (fortune) as concerns love
to reject; to spurn; to turn down; to refuse
rebellious phase; rebellious age
both; both sides; both parties
inquisitively; pryingly; nosily; thoroughly; persistently; through-and-through
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
to read thoroughly; to read repeatedly; to express (e.g. emotion in poetry); to read (extra meaning) into (something); to fetch (e.g. CPU inst.); to read (data into a system)
bad luck; bad fortune; evil; wickedness
wording (esp. of written text); classical Chinese literary style; traditional written Chinese
to throb (with pain); to ache; to smart; to rankle; to gall; to rile
to strain; to stretch; to string up; to cover over (e.g. with tiles, ice, etc.)
to do one's best; to put forth every effort
general; popular; common; typical
anyone; anybody; everyone; whoever
laconic; of few words; reticent; quiet
criticism; blame; censure; attack; reproach
unexpected; unforeseen; inconceivable
it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
to start the debate; to get the ball rolling; to fire the first shot; to start a conversation
the last drop makes the cup run over; too much of a good thing; less is more
lottery; lot; raffle; draw
to be of benefit; to be useful; to be good for you
to be careful; to be discreet; to do in moderation; to refrain (from overdoing); to be reverent; to be purified
presentation (e.g. of a gift)
surging waves; raging billows; turbulent; tempestuous; tumultuous