strange; unfamiliar; mysterious; not knowing the true nature
words of praise; eulogy; compliment
(received) favor, kindness or blessing (favour)
suddenly and in a loud voice (e.g. sobbing)
proud; having a prominent nose
gotcha; alrighty; got it; OK
whitewashing; glossing over; lip service; deftly finishing up; putting on the final touches
loser; failure; underdog; unmarried and childless older woman
apprenticeship; probation; learning by observation; apprentice; trainee; probationer
basics; rudiments; elements; ABCs of ...
to take lessons in; to be taught; to learn (from a teacher); to study (under a teacher); to get training in
central; main; just (done); freshly (baked); counter for consecutive losses
attitude; posture; preparedness; readiness
civilized society; civilised society
floating; drifting; weightlessness; softly; gently; lightly
spire; steeple; pinnacle; minaret
to ride up to; to drive up to; to get used to riding; to get used to driving
bomb blast; blast (from an explosion); shock wave
actual state (of things); real state; live; on-the-scene; reporting live; live coverage
cloudiness; turbidity; nebula (medical)
to attract notice; to catch the eye; to stand out
commander; commanding officer; CO
to jump up; to spring up; to move around; to bounce up and down; to pound (of one's heart, e.g. with excitement); to throb
to compile; to bring together; to weave; to put together; to bring to a conclusion; to wrap up
(ammunition) cartridge; shell case
detonator; percussion cap
ignition; catching fire; firing (e.g. gun); discharging
solid; robust; tight; taut; shrewd; calculating