plain; frank; candid; open; direct; straightforward
to misperceive visually; to misread; to mistake for something or somebody else
unselfish; selfless; disinterested
direction; orientation; suited to; suitable for; tendency; inclination
plot; intrigue; scheme; conspiracy; agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act
to whirl; to eddy; to be all jumbled together (feelings, thoughts, etc.); to surge; to sweep
imperial court; royal court
gloomy; melancholy; dreary; depressed; dismal
to be (something) very much; to be an extreme (something)
to win through (e.g. to the next round); to win game after game; to achieve a final victory; to fight to the end and win; to come out on top
unfit; unsuitable; unmarketable
having worldly wisdom; worldly person; cosmopolitan
selfish; egoistic; self-serving; self-interested
artificiality; pretence; contrived act; commission (of a crime); feasance
to end without incident; to not turn into something serious
to bring; to take; to bring about
to smash; to crush; to shut down; to put out of business; to wreck; to break; to butcher
to settle peacefully; to work out peacefully; to come to an amicable solution; to become reconciled
denouement; ending; conclusion; (grand) finale
supporter; sponsor; patron; backer
ready fire-power; battle-ready forces; immediate asset (to a team or firm); someone who can be an immediately effective player or worker
national politics; political situation; statecraft; body politic
stagnation; hindrance; delay
obstacle; impediment; hindrance; handicap; impairment; disability
making efficient; optimization
exhausting work; hard work; severe duty
karoshi; death from overwork
completely satisfied; as pleased as can be
banter; raillery; ridicule; teasing; making fun of
serious; important; significant; grave; weighty
to be in high spirits; to be full of vigor (vigour); to be enthusiastic; to be eager; to stretch to breaking point
close associate; close aide; brains-truster
for dear life; barely escaping alive
lower grade; low class; junior (officer)
everyday life; daily life
minimum; lowest; minimal; least
to let the tension out of one's shoulders; to relax; to not take oneself too seriously
even so; however; still; whereupon; even though; nevertheless