chores; odd jobs; miscellaneous affairs; miscellaneous expenses
serving tea (esp. at a company); tea server; tea lady
to fall completely silent; to become still as death
to harden; to solidify; to become firm; to become certain; to gather (together); to assemble
substitute; replacement; stand-in; proxy; compensation; exchange
to work as the backbone (of); to bear responsibility (for); to be the mainstay (of); to be the central part (of)
care; attentiveness; attention; consideration (for others); solicitude
something or other; this and that; one thing this, another thing that; blah blah blah
to deceive; to falsify; to dodge; to beg the question (issue, difficulties); to varnish over; to gloss over
to surround; to encircle; to enclose
complete denial; complete disavowal; total negation
painful; bitter; tough; difficult; cruel; harsh
warm; mild; warm (of a colour); mellow; having enough money
to get carried away; to become over-excited; to push one's luck; to push a good thing too far
of great promise; with a promising future
to wipe; to mop up; to get rid of (an impression, feeling, blemish, etc.); to dispel (e.g. shame); to erase
bubble; foam; froth; head on beer
order (esp. to a number of people); command; ritual of bowing at start and end of school class
to cover; to hide; to conceal; to wrap; to disguise
one arm; one's right-hand man; one's right hand
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to show someone (into a room)
each; (arch.) you (plural)
to aim at (for, to do, to become); to try for; to have an eye on; to go toward; to head for
participation in a war; going to war; taking part in a competition or contest
no-holds-barred party; free and easy gathering
argument; discussion; dispute; controversy
to enliven (e.g. a conversation); to animate; to engage in enthusiastically; to become successful and well known
uh-huh; mm-hmm; with a moan; with a groan
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
friendship; fellowship; camaraderie
feeling refreshed; feeling relieved; neat; tidy; frank; open-hearted; completely
state; state of affairs; appearance; look; sign; indication
facilitator; programme director; steering committee (chair)
still; much more; (not) yet; still a long way to go; still a long way off; not there yet
to say everything one wants to say; to exhaust a topic
speaking of ...; when it comes to ...; as for ...; if one were to say ...
to wring (towel, rag); to squeeze; to squeeze (fruit to extract juice); to press; to rack (one's brains); to strain (one's voice); to extort
clerk; secretary; writing down; putting on record
to collect; to put (it all) together; to summarize; to aggregate; to bring to a conclusion; to finalize
to content oneself with; to be resigned to (one's fate); to be contented (satisfied) with (one's lot)