to tear up; to tear off; to rip up; to (forcibly) separate (a couple, family, etc.); to force apart; to tear apart
overprotective; excessive care; overprotection; overprotectiveness
very caring; kind; helpful; service-minded
laughing at an inappropriate time; not being able to hold back one's laughter; scornful laughter; snicker; snigger
in the early period (of something); at the beginning
that's a different matter; that's a different story
to instigate; to incite; to spur on; to set (e.g. a dog after someone)
idiot; moron; stupid; foolish; trivial; insignificant; malfunctioning
firmly; solidly; heartily
to insert; to put between; to tuck (into)
this and that; this or that; one thing or another; this way and that
(not) even a little bit; (not) in the slightest; (not) one bit
polite; courteous; careful; close; overly courteous; overly careful
to bring near; to bring close; to let go near; to associate with; to bring (people) together; to let come near (of a person)
doing as one is told; yes-man
way of talking; speaking style
knowing how to swim with the tide; being good at dealing with things
whether one likes it or not; whether willing or not; willy-nilly
bog; marsh; swamp; quandary; dire situation from which one cannot extricate oneself; imbroglio
forcing (e.g. a vote); carrying out (forcibly); pushing ahead (with); enforcement
to be no match for (e.g. outclassed in authority, strength or in debt to); to be unable to act on an equal basis with
difficult voyage; stormy passage; hard flight; rough going; running into trouble; proceeding with difficulty
armed might; military power; the sword; force
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
under the control (of); under the dominion (of)
moderate; proper; just right
unexpectedly; surprisingly
handwriting; calligraphy specimen; example of penmanship; holograph
very interesting; of great interest
to become decrepit and ugly with age
to drool; to dribble; to slobber
to cling to; to hold on to; to grapple; to set about doing; to begin; to possess (someone; of an evil spirit, idea, etc.)
to rage; to fly into a rage; to become furious
peacetime; time of peace; ordinary times; normal times
push; pushing; weight; pressure; authority; forcefulness
yours sincerely; respectfully yours
famous; noted; renowned; celebrated; well-known
three flat objects (sheets of paper, pieces of cloth, etc.); cutting a fish into two boneless fillets and a piece with the skeleton
to wring the neck; to strangle
to torment; to torture; to afflict; to harrow
now (esp. in contrast to the past); now at last; at present; right now
real intention; true motive; true meaning
to sound; to ring; to resound; to echo; to roar; to rumble
summoning; calling; riding; (high-quality) silk crepe (fabric)
to torment; to harass; to tease; to extort; to shake down; to demand money