several years; a few years
various; varied; diverse; all sorts of
being extremely busy; being swamped with work
(not) so much; (not) that much
to reach the point that; to come to be that; to turn into
to stop talking; to break off; to pause
at the same time as; while; as well as (multiple roles)
to wither (of flowers, dreams, etc.); to wilt; to droop; to shrivel; to fade (away); to sag
poverty; need; destitution; having great difficulty with; struggling greatly with; being in distress
to carry to extremes; to go to the end of something; to investigate thoroughly; to master
child; kid; (one's) child; offspring; young (animal); young woman; offshoot
to live; to exist; to make a living; to subsist; to be in effect; to be in use
many; numerous; large amount of; large quantity of; frequent; common
neighbouring country; neighboring country; adjacent country
to let go by; to let pass; to overlook; to miss
being able to hear something (clearly); clearness of a sound; reputation; renown; impression (that something gives off); respectability
honestly speaking; in truth; in all honesty; to be frank
our country; our land; one's own country
what; what sort of thing; everything; anything; what (on earth)?; what's the meaning of this ...?
limit; limits; degree; extent; the end; the last; as long as ...
embarrassing; embarrassed; ashamed; disgraceful; shameful
so much (something) as to (e.g. so moved as to cry); overwhelmed; carried away; because of too much
to wear; to be dressed in; to have on
show; display; pretensions; pose (in kabuki); posture
to give an order; to place an order; to have made to order
clothing; costume; outfit; garment; dress
majority; more than half; most (of); mostly; largely; mainly
to make over (clothing); to have altered; to renovate
even if ...; even supposing that ...; also as ...; also for ...; also from the position of ...
philanthropic work; charitable enterprise
transactions; dealings; business
by myself; in person; by oneself
to be foolish; to be stupid; to be ridiculous
self-deprecation; self-derision; self-mockery; laughing at oneself
pretty; charming; lovely; adorable
it cannot be that...; it is highly unlikely that...; it is impossible that...
to give an answer; to find an answer to a question; to work out a solution
wish; desire; hope; prospect; expectation; (one's) hopes