first words said (e.g. when meeting someone); first thing out of one's mouth; first speech; inaugural address; first tone (in Chinese); level tone
to blur; to shade off; to gradate; to obscure; to make ambiguous
stylish; smart; elegant; chic; refined; trim
itemization (of expenses); the items; breakdown; classification
hall; saloon; spacious room; reception room
smart (clothing, etc.); stylish; slim; slender; skilful; slick
to square one's shoulders (in order to intimidate)
survival after defeat; decline (of a person, business, etc.); ruin
dishonor during one's life; shame experienced during one's life
(suffering a) complete defeat; utter defeat; annihilation
anything; whatever; whatever one likes
to miss each other; to cross (in the post); to go astray; to go wrong
already; now; by this time; quick; early; fast
satisfactory; desirable; favourable; seeming (to be); appearing
(not) even with; (not) even using
calamity; disaster; misfortune
preparation; provision; defenses; guard; military formation; troop arrangement
slight; little; insignificant
nonparticipation; nonattendance
to start the debate; to get the ball rolling; to fire the first shot; to start a conversation
treatment (of a person); dealing with
pitiful; unfortunate; poor; unpardonable; regrettable
overhasty; rash; premature
source of information; intelligence source; message source
representation; agency; proxy; proxy; agent; representative
unconditionally; as a rule
somewhat larger (amount); quite a lot; a little more (than usual); a little extra
poor health; ill health; unhealthy
inkpot; ink bottle; inking; going over in ink
feeling sick; feeling nauseous; feeling unwell; feeling displeased; feeling offended; feeling irritated
wrong (guess or estimate); misdirected
sly; cunning; sneaky; miserly; mean; stingy
chance; stroke of luck; (curious) turn of events
(one's) concern; having (something) to do with
unique; matchless; unparalleled; unparallelled; never again
strict; severe; stringent; rigorous; rigid; firm
escort (e.g. under guard); convoy