trying to think of a way (to); devising means (to); working out (how to do); contriving (to raise money); managing
pretext; history; past; according to ...; ... says
to break; to be broken; to be folded; to give in; to back down; to turn (a corner)
pleasant; agreeable; comfortable; refreshing
cooperation; collaboration
as expected; predictably; not surprisingly
not straightforward; not dealt with by ordinary means
company secret; industrial secret; trade secret
to finish; to get it over with; to settle; to pay back; to get along (without something); to make do with (without)
present age; present day; today; modern era; modern times
to take a peep at; to catch a glimpse of
to move (house); to transfer (department); to change the target of interest or concern; to elapse (passage of time); to be permeated by a colour or scent; to be infected
and; thereupon; because of that
chief; main; principal; important
amount sold; sales; proceeds; takings; turnover
guard; protector; defensive armament; personal armor (armour)
arms; weapons (of war); armor; armour
craftsman; artisan; tradesman; worker; workman
craft; crafting; handcrafted article; kraft paper
development; evolution; expansion; spreading out; expansion (of an algebraic expression); development (of a three-dimensional shape)
enterprise; business; company; corporation
to cling to ... in tears; to beg ... in tears; to appeal; to throw oneself on someone's mercy
to knock down; to beat up (till unable to stand)
style; way; shape; form; appearance; state
ground; crust (earth); foundation (building, etc.); base; constituency; power base
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
to imitate; to follow; to emulate
deviation; departure; omission
dissatisfaction; discontent; displeasure; complaint; unhappiness
to be damaged; to receive damage
small factory in town; backstreet (small) workshop
order; system; structure; set-up; organization; organisation
betterment; improvement; kaizen (Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement)
to hang; to suspend; to lower; to reduce; to demote; to move back
to anticipate; to expect; to place confidence in; to put trust in; to find promising; to see good prospects (in)
making (a new suit, dress, etc.); having (something) made; buying new; new tune; new melody; new composition
supply; provision; raising; procurement
small and medium-sized enterprises; small and medium-sized businesses