becoming a mere shell; becoming a dead letter; losing (one's) substance; being reduced to a formality
looks; countenance; facial features; physiognomy
surreal; surrealism; shul; schul
water's edge; waterside; shore
to gain traction; to develop momentum; to get a boost; to pick up steam
covered in mud; mud-caked
public works; public-works projects; public utilities
volume of water kept in store
running water; flowing water; stream
connection; linking; joining; coupling; attaching; junction
to creep about; to crawl around
just because; even if; even though
all sorts of things; (anything and) everything; by all means; at any cost
stylish; fashionable; dressing (oneself) up; dressing smartly; fashionable dresser; smartly dressed person
captive; prisoner; victim (of love, etc.); slave (to one's lust, etc.)
flush with money; having a full purse; having a full handbag
off period; off season; slack season
all-you-can-eat; eating as much as one likes
lower part; substructure; subordinate (office); good and faithful servant
here and there; in places
mask; striking the head (kendo)
small child; kid; kiddy; tot; rug rat; ankle-biter
to pass away; to join the majority; (lit.) to enter the death register
banknote; bill; note; paper money
outbreak of an illness; onset of a condition; appearance of symptoms
to succeed; to bear fruit
last-minute cramming; overnight cramming; (vegetables) pickled just overnight
couple who only go through the motions of being husband and wife
banzai; hurray; something to cheer about; something worthy of celebration; giving up; throwing one's hands up
to live (of animals); to inhabit; to nest
jack-in-the-box; jack-in-a-box
dejectedly; dispiritedly; despondently; gloomily
now (while the time is ripe); while one still can
hair accessory; hair ornament