to ripen; to mature; to be ready for action; to be the right time (to act); to be in common use; to come to sound natural
going on and on (about inconsequential things); talking nonsense; idling away the time; dawdling
fleeing from one's country; seeking asylum; defection; emigration (for political reasons); (going into) exile; becoming a (political) refugee
standing in each other's way; holding each other back; getting in the way of each other's success; hindering each other's progress
one's favourite party trick (favorite); one's specialty; No. 18; eighteenth; repertoire of 18 kabuki plays
declaration of war; proclamation of war
one night; all night; overnight; one evening
surrender; submission; capitulation; being defeated (e.g. by a problem); giving up; giving in
red bean paste; red bean jam; kudzu sauce; filling (of a dumpling, etc.); filling; stuffing
exemption; exoneration; discharge
spine; line of the backbone; seam down the back (of clothing)
in name only; titular; nominal
hut; shanty; hovel; house built directly into the ground with no supporting stones
to sit up straight; to straighten one's posture; to straighten up
old person; senior citizen; the aged; the elderly
lovely; sweet; pretty; cute; adorable
grandfather; old man; kyogen mask used for the role of an old man
to be taught; to learn; to take lessons in
research (institute, laboratory, group, etc.)
strength; toughness; bravery; boldness
to open wide (doors or windows); to throw open; to fling open; to leave open; to keep open
Taoist; person of high morals; Buddhist monk; immortal mountain wizard; Taoist immortal
one's say; one's point; one's case; complaint; objection; grievance
many times over; often; repeatedly; time after time
to refuse; to reject; to deny
explanation (e.g. for one's actions); excuse; justification; defense; defence
to have heard somewhere; to sound familiar
kemonomimi; character with animal ears
general; admiral; head; chief; old chap; mate
astonishment; amazement; surprise; fright; shock
incomparable; cannot compare (with); beyond comparison; in another league
outer fence; outer enclosure; outer block; outline; contour
to tile (floor, wall, etc.)
unrealistic; impractical; infeasible; unreal
interior design; interior; upholstery
hut; cabin; small theatre (theater); temporary playhouse; one's own house
donor; contributor; provider
human kindness; human weakness
to backfire; to have a harmful result