a matter of life and death
microorganisms; saprophyte; saprophytic bacteria
disinfection; sterile filtration
germ; germs; bacteria; something harmful; vermin
to be particular about one's food; to have a discriminating palate
viewing through a window; passing through a window; going through a window; doing through a window
to recover a cost; to recover an expense; to get a return on one's investment; to get one's money's worth
picking up trash; collecting garbage
to be lonely at the top; to be left high and dry by one's friends; (lit.) to have the ladder pulled out from under one
no loss or gain; coming out even
health is wealth; health is your most valuable asset
to defy conventional wisdom
to struggle for; to compete with; to vie with
net auction; Internet auction; online auction; web auction
successful bid; winning a tender
local color; local colour
membership card; membership certificate
maid cafe; cafe with waitresses dressed in cute maid costumes
tea drinking; teahouse; tearoom; coffee lounge
miniaturization; miniaturisation; downsizing
state-of-the-art; cutting-edge
row of houses; each house; every house; every door
application; entry; request; subscription; offer; proposal
administrative staff; business clerk; clerical force; clerical officer; clerical personnel; clerical staff
strong point; selling point; forte; specialty; attraction
review; reconsideration; revision
garbage can; rubbish bin; trash can; dustbin
cancelling (a debt); forgiving (a debt); being even; forgetting (what was said or done); pretending (something never happened)