to stroke; to caress; to brush gently; to comb (hair); to smooth down
as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all possible
at present; currently; so far; for now; for the time being
injury; harm; evil influence; damage
to expose to danger; to imperil; to jeopardize
failing to properly evaluate the (relative) importance (of); putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the cause for the end; mistaking the insignificant for the essential; getting one's priorities backwards
judgment; judgement; discernment
fondly; admiringly; with fascination; with adoration; with enchantment
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears
very interesting; of absorbing interest; having a keen interest (in); being immensely curious (about)
opening to the public (e.g. garden, etc.); read permission: anybody
to swell; to rise; to bulge; to rouse; to get excited
ticklish; embarrassed; awkward; ill at ease (esp. when receiving public praise)
to catch; to capture; to grasp (e.g. meaning); to perceive; to captivate; to move (one's heart)
celebrity; famous person; public figure; big name
to fire oneself up; to give it one's all; to get psyched; to fire someone up (with scolding, corporal punishment, etc.); to rouse
public name; announcing publicly; nominal
near; close; close (in time); soon; close (relationship); friendly
to taper to a point; to become pointed; to become sharp; to look displeased; to look sour; to be on edge
goes without saying; needless to say; obvious
so much; so often; oh, yes!; that's it; that's right; quite
(those) who are; (that) which is; in the capacity of
supposing; even if; granting that; temporarily; provisionally; for the time being
to entangle; to entwine; to pick a quarrel; to find fault; to be involved with; to be influenced by
dull; uninteresting; insignificant; unimportant; absurd; foolish
it's different when ... but; it's not so bad when ... but
important; significant; precious; valuable; careful
particularly; especially; in particular; expressly
to parade; to march; to walk in procession
hiss (esp. cat); sizzle; whoosh
futility; waste; uselessness; pointlessness; idleness
to get into a fight; to take up the gauntlet; to accept a challenge
seeming; giving the appearance of; giving one the feeling of
to become hungry; to get an empty stomach
suitable; proper; appropriate; perfunctory; half-minded; sloppy
(ethyl) alcohol; spirits of wine