chaos; confusion; disorder; chaotic; confused; uncertain
whirlpool; swirl; eddy; vortex; maelstrom
how many people; a number of people
death; decease; (arch.) death penalty (by strangulation or decapitation); (an) out
formation; molding; making up; repair (e.g. plastic surgery); replacement; -plasty
to be solved; to be resolved; to loosen; to come untied; to be removed (of restrictions); to be lifted (e.g. a ban)
entry; approach; penetration
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
purpose; goal; aim; objective; intention
achievement; attainment; accomplishment; realization
to peep (through); to peek; to await (one's chance); to guess; to infer
occasionally; once in a while; seldom; casually; unexpectedly; accidentally
offender; criminal; culprit
to remove; to eliminate; to eradicate; to exclude; to except
character (of a person); personality; disposition; characteristics; nature (of a thing, event, etc.)
accessories; small articles; minor character; small fry; weak one
to pass through; to pass by; to pass (of time); to elapse; to have expired; to have ended; to exceed
memory; recollection; remembrance; storage
the point just before; the point of doing; the verge of happening
sure; certain; reliable; trustworthy; If I'm not mistaken; If I remember correctly
magic; sorcery; incantation
and the like; such as; or something; something like; I hear that ...; people say that...
to be open (to traffic); to lead to; to flow (liquid, current); to pass; to be understood; to be comprehended; to be honored
rather; better; instead; if anything
to order; to command; to appoint
indication; denotation; designation; instructions; directions
gap; space; break; interlude; chink (in one's armor, armour); chance
to snatch away; to dispossess; to steal
name; title; appellation; (under the) pretext (of); pretense
any; anything; whatever; I am told; I hear; I understand
to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to have a good command of (a language); to play proficiently (of a musical instrument); to work (a puppet); to pull the strings of a puppet
newcomer; neophyte; novice; newbie
in that case; (might not be what was expected or hoped for but) if that's the case
freebie (e.g. with a purchase); something additional; price reduction; discount; exaggeration
to be dyed; to be tainted; to be infected; to be stained
to draw (conclusion); to deduce; to derive
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall
defense; defence; defensive preparations
followers; subordinates; being under someone's command
to attach; to join; to furnish (a house with); to wear; to put on; to keep a diary; to make an entry
to mourn; to lament; to be sorry; to regret; to repent
but then; although; though; reasonable; natural; just