to use excessively; to use too much; to spend too much; to overwork someone
dramatic (improvement); remarkable (difference); marked; (far) better; exceptional
strong interaction; strong force
(not) so; (not) particularly; (not) very; (not) that much
to shave (wood, leather, etc.); to sharpen (e.g. pencil); to cut down (budget, expenses, staff, time, etc.); to curtail; to delete; to erase
highest grade; superlative degree
stale; hackneyed; cliched
impressions; thoughts; feelings; reactions
standoffishly; primly; pungently (of a smell); acridly; long and pointed (e.g. of a nose); popping (of ears)
to rock; to shake; to swing
with a snap; with a bang; with a plonk; suddenly; all of a sudden
straightforwardly; readily; without hesitation
to retreat; to back off; to draw back; to step back; to shrink away
two colours; two varieties; two types
ratio; proportion; percentage
observation; survey; watching
deliberately; carefully; thoroughly; without rushing
when it comes to the cause; when you get right down to it; as for what started it; as for the reason; originally
food; foodstuff; eating; appetite; meal; portion
to detain; to check; to restrain
three-day weekend; long weekend; three holidays in a row
to look after; to take care of; to be put in charge of; to be given responsibility for; to withhold (an announcement); to reserve (judgment)
to turn back; to go back; to come back; to return; to retrace one's steps
like it or not; like or not like
(jumping) nimbly; light-footed; boing; used at sentence end to affect cuteness
to fly; to soar; to jump; to leap; to spatter; to scatter; to hurry
slightly (of an action); (looking) small and quiet
to rub on; to rub against; to lay the blame on; to strike (a match)
with a pitter-patter; choked up (with emotion); heart-wringing; momentary tightening of one's chest caused by powerful feelings (e.g. parting with a loved one)
shyness; fear of strangers; stranger anxiety
another place; somewhere else; outside (one's family or group); someone else; not caring for; being indifferent to
that way; that direction; that (one); that person; there; over there
to make a lovely picture; to be perfect for a picture; picture-perfect; picturesque
combination; assortment; matching (in a contest); pairing; combination
with a smooth, unhindered motion; speedily and without delay
thereupon; shortly thereafter