to have the personal support of (an influential person); to be under the patronage of
fair; just and upright; open and honest; aboveboard; honourable
meat eating; eating of meat; meat diet; carnivorous
takeover (of a company, etc.); hijacking
quickly (e.g. pushing up one's glasses); with a light pull; with a sharp tug (e.g. at a sleeve)
as likely as not; fifty-fifty; even match; tie
calamity; disaster; accident
to detain; to keep; to lock up; to retain; to leave (a letter) till called for
to push; to thrust; to press (down); to push (e.g. a button); to stamp (e.g. one's name); to affix (a seal); to affix (e.g. gold leaf)
most difficult; next to impossible
light and easy; lambent; clever; witty; smart
suddenly (stick out, appear, extend, etc.); abruptly (protrude); unexpectedly
to shake off; to shake free from; to swing completely (bat, club, etc.); to take a full swing; to break off from (pursuer); to pull away
latch; clasp; catch; check; fastener
punishment; judgement; judgment; decapitation
morning star; Venus; preeminent person (within their own field); star (of the stage, silver screen, etc.)
powerful army; strengthening of the military
to make a cut; to make an incision; to score (food)
to rub; to pat; to stroke; to massage
to think hard; to brood over; to worry too much (about); to torment oneself (with the thought of)
prompt decision; snap judgement; snap judgment
mixture; jumble; blend; making a cord by entwining threads of various colours
uncool; lame; unfashionable; unstylish; tacky; tasteless
straw doll; straw figure; straw effigy
to press (one's body, cheek, etc.) against; to rub against; to snuggle (one's head, etc.) into
offensive strength; offensive power; striking power
stealthy steps; soft steps
to take (a person) unawares; to make a surprise attack
bar; bolt (e.g. on door); double-arm lock; (rope) cinching
to each his own; people differ; different people (have different likes)
involuntarily; reluctantly; against one's inclination; against one's will; as a matter of unpleasant necessity; despite oneself
becoming complicated; becoming involved; being intricate; becoming entangled; becoming jumbled; becoming mixed up
to look displeased; to frown; to scowl; to look grave; to look serious
dropping; losing; missing item; something one forgot to write down; cleaning; removing; trap
great benefactor; person to whom one is greatly indebted