set phrase; stock phrase; conventional expression; usual wording; cliché; clichéd line
to get distracted; to jump off the track
faint; indistinct; dim; vague; subtle; delicate
working earnestly; sincerity; diligence; effort; pains
error; mistake; slip; bug
crossing without meeting (e.g. letters in the post, people on the road); going astray; difference of opinion; misunderstanding; estrangement
to seek knowledge; to ask for instruction
to beat down prices; to strike a hard bargain
firm; solid; steady; secure; unshakeable; unwavering
register of names; list of names; roll; register; roster
overloading (someone; with work); overworking (someone); overwhelming; flooding (e.g. with tasks)
to drive to death (e.g. by suicide); to cause to die
increase; multiplication; propagation; proliferation
to fabricate; to invent; to make up (a story); to cobble together; to put together (in a slapdash manner)
a long, long time ago; very long ago
to curse; to put a curse on; to detest intensely
unable to stomach; sticking in one's throat; displeased with
last moment; eleventh hour; platform made of dirt used to perform executions (decapitations) in the Edo period
to die down (storm, anger, conflict, etc.); to calm down; to be at peace; to be governed well; to subside (of pain, symptoms, etc.); to be alleviated
unsteadily (walking); waddling; staggeringly; totteringly
face contorted and about to cry
to draw (someone) close to one's breast; to pull close to one; to take into one's arms; to embrace
sweet words; smooth talk; cajolery; flattery; sycophancy
to prepare for death; to get ready to die
existing (between); interposition; intervention; involvement
manufactured goods; finished goods; product
paying no heed to; not caring about; taking no notice of
vacuum; absolute void; complete vacuity
pump-priming; rousing; stimulation
to pressure; to put pressure (on); to press
to scatter in all directions (like baby spiders)
prudent; thoughtful; discreet
to be deeply impressed (by); to be moved (by); to admire greatly
to move off (into the distance); to become distant; to recede; to drift away (from a person, activity, etc.); to distance oneself (from); to become less frequent (e.g. of visits)
to compete ruthlessly; (lit.) to sharpen swords