top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
in accordance with plans; just as planned
anything and everything; just about everything
to come to nothing; to be spoiled; to be spoilt
soliloquy; monologue; speaking to oneself
the best one can do; one's best effort; with all one's might; to the best of one's ability
to leak out (a secret); to be exposed (a lie, improper behaviour, etc.); to be found out; to get away (of fish)
to walk about; to walk around; to conduct oneself; to turn up; to brawl (in a play, etc.)
to shut one's eyes; to ignore; to pretend not to know; to die
relatives; one's family; friends; members of the same organization; followers; henchmen
letter of invitation; letter of recommendation; reference
futon; Japanese bedding consisting of a mattress and a duvet; round cushion used for Zen meditation (traditionally made of woven bulrush leaves)
to sink (into one's seat, etc.); to leap to one's death (by drowning); to be reduced to (esp. working as a prostitute)
to digest; to break down; to break to pieces; to be able to use; to be good at; to finish; to complete
to hear a rumor; to get wind of
to protect (someone); to look after (e.g. an injured leg); to defend; to cover for; to stand up for; to stick up for
comfort; ease; easy; simple; (economically) comfortable; raku pottery
signalling with the eyes; exchanging looks; winking
(I) won't say anything no matter what; to be unwilling to tell even under threat
meticulous; careful; discreet; scrupulous; prudent
effect; result; worth; Kai (former province located in present-day Yamanashi Prefecture)
(a) little; somewhat; somehow
tingling; stinging; pungently
husband; master (of a house, shop, etc.)
(I) think (that); (I) have a feeling (that); (I) fancy (that)
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
where ... is concerned; when it becomes; if it becomes
unexpected; unscheduled; unforeseen; unplanned
swiftly; rapidly; suddenly; abruptly; sharply (of a slope, bend, etc.); steeply
conversation; conference (usu. between important people); discussion; interview
to discuss; to talk together
how; in what way; in what manner
truth; reality; sincerity; honesty; content; substance
to catch sight of; to see; to suppose; to assume from appearances
human nature; human heart; public feeling; people's sentiments; consciousness; awareness
grasping; seizing; holding; commanding; having control over
art; technique; means; way; trick; trap
to excel at; to be proficient at; to grow old; to ripen; to rise high (e.g. the sun)
unskillful; poor; awkward; imprudent; untactful
popular use; circulation; to pass as; to pass for
apt to (do); liable to; predominantly; mostly; ... reaps the rewards; ... takes the prize
number of times; frequency; count