dubious tale; cock-and-bull story; questionable information; taking care not to be fooled
getting rich quick; making a killing; making a fortune at a single stroke
reward; compensation; collateral; security; turning to look behind
treasury; treasure house; storehouse; treasure trove; rich source (of)
weapon of mass destruction; WMD
to wash away; to rinse off
dirt; filth; stain; blot; spot
other than; excluding; without
causing concern; (lit.) bad for the heart
to wish (for); to pray (for); to hope (for); to pray silently; to recite (Buddha's name, sutras, etc.) in one's mind; to chant (a silent prayer)
finally; after; following; at the end (of)
before one's own eyes; from under one's very nose; without doing anything; without resistance; helplessly; negligently
to come into contact with; to touch (each other); to have a brush with
to pollute; to contaminate; to soil; to disgrace; to dishonour; to dishonor
to be flabbergasted; to be dumbfounded
having said that; on the other hand
trivial; not amounting to much
as one pleases; irresponsibility; free-for-all
hot (e.g. from the oven); steaming (from the pot); fresh; fresh (e.g. out of university); new (e.g. married couple)
with all due respect; if I may make bold to ask
head; chief; top student; head of the class; top seat; first desk (in orchestra)
favourite child; favourite student; apple of one's eye
child prodigy; wonder child
results; record; grades; marks
right beside; close to; nearby
modesty; self-control; discretion
directions; instructions; orders; command
to filch; to snatch; to steal (an idea, work, etc.); to plagiarize; to arrest; to nab
to shorten; to narrow; to close; to shrink
to step forward; to take a step forward; to start on a project, etc.; to take the first step with
direct descent; direct line
nice; likeable; desirable