stairs; stairway; staircase
to dam up; to hold back; to keep back; to stem (an activity); to check (e.g. progress)
brittle; fragile; weak; tender-hearted; sentimental; easily moved
to crowd out; to push out; to start together; to set out en masse; to highlight; to draw attention to
utmost limits; extremity; limit
mucus; mucilage; viscous liquid; phlegm
to remain; to be left over; to be in excess; to be too many
one side; one party; counterpart; one of a pair; fellow; mate
to lend a hand; to give a hand; to help; to extend a helping hand
to thrust before; to thrust at
deployment; disposition; posting; stationing
at any rate; in any case; at the very least; if nothing else
investigation (e.g. academically, of the unknown); close inquiry (enquiry)
clicking one's tongue; tut-tut; smacking one's lips (with relish)
joint; knuckle; tune; melody; knot (in wood); node in a bamboo stem
expectation; anticipation; purpose; intention; others' opinions of one; speculation
intelligence quotient; IQ
(coming to a) mutual understanding; understanding each other
to play a role; to serve a function; to play a part
yes it is!; it surely is; certainly
location (of something); whereabouts; hiding place
to plunder; to grab; to snatch
to bite off; to gnaw through
(are you) alright?; (are you) OK?
to (be able to) make contact; to (be able to) get in touch
feeling chilly; nervous; anxious; frightened
surprise attack; surprise visit; catching a person off guard
shutting tightly; making airtight; sealing hermetically
to slip through; to make one's way through quickly
rock (in rock-paper-scissors); stone; ungh; gulp; rumbling (of an empty stomach); growling
briskly; quickly; promptly
form (as opposed to substance); formality; method; system; format; mode
bottom layer; undermost layer; lowest (societal) class; bottom (economic) stratum; lowest caste
construction; framework; erection; assembly; organization; organisation
somehow (or other); for some reason; without knowing why; something (or other); some ... or other
breaking down; defeating; abolishing