common knowledge; well-known fact
old tale; folk tale; legend; reminiscence
slightly early; just before
secret meeting; clandestine meeting
alcohol; (alcoholic) drink; liqueur
to take the lead (of a group of people); to lead (a toast, cheer, etc.); to sing the leading notes of a song after which others join in
premeditated murder; deliberate murder; willful murder; wilful murder
sentence-ending particle expressing doubt; sentence-ending particle expressing a rhetorical question
(meeting with) disaster; (having an) accident; mishap; shipwreck; distress
to support (a theory, claim, etc.); to back up; to substantiate; to prove
machine; mechanism; instrument; appliance; apparatus
to bring up a subject; to touch on a matter
to be suspicious of (someone's motives); to suspect (that)
to entrust (someone) with; to leave (a matter) with someone; to have someone deliver (a message, parcel, etc.); to send (through someone); to use (something) to express (one's feelings, opinion, etc.); to express in the form of (something)
emergency; accident; worst case; unexpected occurrence
popularity; favorable reputation; high esteem; respect
to be fragrant; to smell (good); to stink; to smell (bad); to glow; to be bright
to select someone (out of many people)
reduction; curtailment; cut; cutback; scaling down; contraction
synopsis; plot; outline; plan; scheme; program
sect; denomination; school (e.g. of poetry)
state religion; official religion; established religion
to make one's own; to take possession of
to look daggers at someone; to be angry
jostle; struggle; scuffle
to flatly refuse; to reject; to spurn
underling; person of low standing; grunt; petty (work, official, etc.); minor; lowly
night watch; night sentry
to hit; to beat; to shout at; to yell at
splash; spray; chance blow; by-blow; getting dragged into (a quarrel, etc.)
partner (esp. in manzai); companion; partner for the night (e.g. at a brothel)
the whole sky; the firmament; the heavens; the empyrean
poetic sentiment; poetic interest; poetic inspiration
pipe; tube; gun barrel; gun; cannon; well lining
(scenic) view; prospect; outlook; viewing platform; overlook
to steel oneself to; to brace oneself
had better ...; had better not ...