laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
now that you mention it; come to think of it; that reminds me; on that subject; speaking of which
picture; drawing; painting; image (TV, film, etc.); picture; footage
(in a) long time; long time (ago); while (ago); long ago; long while (ago); (in a) long while
light; well-lit; bright (of a colour); brightly-coloured; cheerful; bright; encouraging (for the future of a project, etc.)
prudent; thoughtful; discreet
sure; certain; reliable; trustworthy; If I'm not mistaken; If I remember correctly
arts; crafts; handicrafts
to evaluate; to appraise; to comment on
one more; another; the other; not quite; not very good; lacking
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
specific gravity; relative density; relative importance; weight
to wager; to bet; to risk; to stake; to gamble
tightly (holding on); firmly; strongly (built); solidly; properly; well
expresses a firm view or feeling; please ...; would you ...
to be troubled; to have difficulty; to be bothered; to be inconvenienced; to be badly off; to be hard up
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
softly; mildly; gently; politely
to overcome (opposition); to push past; to force one's way; to press and cut
to be needed; to be wanted
before the gate; in front of the gate
to run counter to; to go against; to disobey; to infringe
nonexistent; unreal; imaginary; spurious
to have one's teeth set on edge; to get loose teeth
sleeping outdoors; sleeping out in the open air; camping
to ask for; to apply for; to make an application for; to file a request for; to submit (e.g. one's resignation)
one way or another; in many ways; in various ways
joint; knuckle; tune; melody; knot (in wood); node in a bamboo stem
direct transmission (of mystery, skill, secret, etc.); initiation
to be scattered about; to disperse; to be littered (with)
like this; this sort; this way
violence; oppression; high-handedness; tyranny; despotism
reason; logic; sense; truth; right