stepwise; one step at a time
to tie; to bind; to fasten; to restrict (freedom); to tie down (with rules, regulations, etc.); to fetter
future (usually near); prospects
equality; impartiality; evenness
anyone; anybody; everyone; whoever
autumn of last year; fall of last year
return; comeback; reinstatement; carriage return; CR
to hear a rumor; to get wind of
first year; initial (year)
to cut into (a line, conversation, etc.); to force oneself into (e.g. a crowd); to wedge oneself into; to fall below (of stock prices, sales, etc.); to drop below
haughty; arrogant; pompous; self-important
to be in the news; to be talked about; to become a popular topic of conversation; to become the talk of the town; to become topical
paying for one's mistakes; getting one's just deserts; suffering the consequences (of one's own actions); reap what you sow
to paint over; to paint out; to fill in; to cover completely (with paint)
to become public; to become known; to come out in the open; to be formal; to be official
mud; slush; (wet) dirt; thief
to throw at; to throw something at a person; to throw a person down
defense; defence; pleading; advocacy
merchant; store; shop; merchant house; merchant family
ability; capability; competence; skill
being adopted into the family of one's bride
mostly; nearly; practically; well-nigh; almost invariably; all but
to show up; to appear; to turn up
to lament; to grieve; to regret; to deplore
plausible (but untrue); credible (e.g. of a lie); specious; truthy
to draw; to paint; to depict; to describe; to picture in one's mind; to imagine
far away; far off; nowhere near; far cry
nonexistent; not being (there); unowned; not had; unique; not; impossible
position; location; base; point; site
woman; lady; adult female
ordinary; common; commonplace; mediocre; unremarkable; undistinguished
dull; uninteresting; insignificant; unimportant; absurd; foolish
stimulating; exciting; provocative
a few years ago; some years back
common knowledge; well-known fact
close (e.g. in terms of relationship); intimate
to be separated; to be apart; to leave; to go away; to leave (a job, etc.); to quit
exchange; interchange; switching; reciprocity; barter; substitution
attendance; participation; presence
sensitive (person, heart, etc.); delicate (issue, problem, etc.); sensitive; fragile; delicate; delicate (fabric, shade, flavour, etc.)
serious; important; significant; grave; weighty