weird; ominous; eerie; uncanny; ghastly
learning by ear; memory of having heard something before
a little; a bit; just a minute; for a moment; somewhat; rather; (not) easily
bag; satchel; briefcase; basket
live coals (for firelighting); cause (of disturbance, conflict, etc.); trigger
to take out; to produce; to pick out; to fetch; to retrieve
to make sure of; to ascertain; to confirm; to grasp
to hang; to suspend; to lower; to reduce; to demote; to move back
stature; height; size; physique
to be confused; to be bewildered; to be taken aback
really (seem, appear, etc.); truly; evidently; in that way
natural; reasonable; obvious; usual; common; ordinary
to declare; to speak out; to warn; to spit out (words)
and; thereupon; because of that
operation; management; handling; manipulating (to one's benefit); manipulation; influencing
nothing new; same as always; an old story; nothing new about it; not the first time it has happened
a few years ago; some years back
to throw out; to fire; to expel; to give up; to abandon; to neglect
already; now; no longer; not any more
to pull over one's eyes (e.g. hat); to wear pulled down over one's eyes
that gentleman; that lady; he; she
to make light of; to ignore; to slight
to track down; to locate; to find out; to smoke out; to ferret out; to chase up
income; receipts; revenue
careful; thorough; meticulous; scrupulous
support; backing; aid; assistance
all; everything; entirety; absolutely (not); (not) at all; (none) whatsoever
My goodness!; Good lord!; Holy cow!
to crush (with one's hands); to kill a proposal; to shelve; to table (remove from consideration)
to imitate; to copy; to enter someone as a candidate; to press (e.g. a weapon against someone's back); to compare; to liken
veteran; battle-worn; schooled by adversity in many battles; rich in experience
to lead; to spearhead (a group); to command (troops)
to rush on; to attack; to swoop down on
to break; to smash; to defeat; to destroy; to eliminate
is something wrong?; what's wrong?; what's the matter?; slightest; mere; trivial
incredible; unbelievable; terrific; impressive
to say no more; to sink into silence
suspicious-looking; fishy
why?; what for?; how?; by what means?