to drop like a rock (e.g. of reputation, power, influence); to go down the toilet
secret; clandestine; covert; spy (for a daimyo, shogun, etc.); secret agent
to be extremely difficult; to present a major challenge
top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
pursuit (of a goal, ideal, etc.); search; chase; seeking after
centre; center; middle; capital; seat of government
false accusation; pretext; picking a quarrel; committing oneself
equal; identical; the same; no different (to); just like; equivalent
when you really think about it; on reflection; in actual fact; once again (fashionable, popular, etc.); back (in style)
between-season wear; spring and autumn clothing; together; condition; situation; -ish
triangle (musical instrument); triangle (shape)
turmoil; chaos; confusion
closing years (period, days); last stage; end stage; terminal (e.g. cancer, disease, etc.); final
to feel around for; to fumble for; to investigate; to probe into; to explore (parts unknown); to enjoy (natural beauty)
busying oneself about (something); being on the move; bestirring oneself; on the go; taking an active interest
behind closed doors; behind-the-scenes; (under the veil of) secrecy
restriction; restraint; limitation; limit
to plan; to attempt; to plot; to conspire; to aim for; to strive for
and what is worse; to make matters worse
prudence; discretion; thought
subordinate; underling; henchman; minion
I have nothing to do with it
rudeness; impoliteness; discourtesy; insolence
to strengthen; to emphasize; to emphasise
gradually (progress into a state); in sequence; in order; in turn
cooperation; coordination; link
union; alliance; combination; RENGO (Japanese Trade Union Confederation)
check; keeping in check; containment (of enemy forces); diversionary action; pickoff throw; holding a runner on base
national border; provincial border
massing (of troops); gathering
happy; auspicious; propitious; naive
visit; call; arrival (e.g. of spring); advent; news; tidings
influential person; man of importance
orderly; regular; systematic; well-organized; well-organised; trim
one building (hall, temple, shrine, room); same room; same place; same building
by (means of); by doing; due to; via; through
at once; immediately; right away; directly (face, lead to, etc.); automatically (mean, result in, etc.)
to call (someone) back; to recall; to call home; to bring back (memories, etc.); to recall; to revive
strict order; peremptory command
undulation; winding; meandering; swell (of waves); surge; billow