firm; unshakeable; resolute
(villains) of the same stripe; birds of a feather; (lit.) badgers of the same hole
to get carried away; to get overly elated; to become over-excited; to get up to speed; to move into gear
to increase; to add to; to augment
centripetal force; unifying force; cohesive power
grasping; seizing; holding; commanding; having control over
daring; fearless; intrepid; bold; tough
first of all; to begin with; probably; most likely; more or less (satisfactory); on the whole
puppet; marionette; puppet (person, organization, government, etc.); figurehead; (arch.) prostitute
gentle; peaceable; amicable; without fuss; simply
to step back; to move back; to withdraw (from the presence of a superior); to leave; to resign; to retire
minimum; lowest; minimal; at a minimum
calculation; computation; reckoning; consideration; calculation; estimation
course (of a road, moving object, etc.); way; course (of events, action, etc.); direction (e.g. an argument is heading in); reasoning; logic
to give directions; to issue instructions
when; at what time; how soon; normal times; ordinary days
to order; to send away for; to have (something) sent to one; to pull (something) closer
affection (esp. parental); love; fondness
suspicious-looking; shady; questionable; dubious; fishy
going out; one's best clothes; formal (e.g. language); best (behaviour, manners, etc.)
above anything else; above all; more than anything; best; greatest; excellent
recent state; present state; present condition; current status; current circumstances
ceremonious; unduly distant (e.g. towards a friend); overly formal; reserved
appearing and disappearing; slipping in and out of view
marriage proposal; marriage talks
re-education; retraining; in-service training
to re-think; to think back upon; to change one's mind
correction; revision; rectification
with profound (often hidden) meaning; pregnant with significance; meaningful; suggestive; interesting
eye; eyeball; eyesight; sight; look; stare; notice
to temper thoroughly; to train well
to shake; to waver; to tremble
secret; private; surreptitious
anti-; antithesis; fanqie; traditional Chinese spelling system in which two characters are used: the first one for the onset, the second one for rhyme and tone
attachment; adhesion; insistence; tenacity; fixation; obsession
cruelty; coldheartedness; relentless; ruthless
piece (in shogi, chess, etc.); (arch.) horse; (arch.) foal; bridge (of a violin, etc.)
wise; clever; smart; well-behaved (esp. children and pets); obedient; good
certificate; credentials; testimonial
to look after; to take care of; to be put in charge of; to be given responsibility for; to withhold (an announcement); to reserve (judgment)