strong spirit; mettle; backbone; guts; fighting spirit
attractive; good-looking; stylish; cool; smooth; neat
faint; indistinct; dim; vague; subtle; delicate
unrelated; irrelevant; unconcerned; unconnected
inside; within; while (e.g. one is young); during; among; amongst; in (secret, chaos, poverty, etc.)
increasing the number of staff; hiring more people
merit system (as opposed to seniority); meritocracy; ability-ism
face; honour; meld; lineup (of players participating in a mahjong game); attendees (e.g. at a meeting); members
election; selection; choice
income; earnings; revenue; proceeds; takings; receipts
coercion; extortion; compulsion; force
heartbroken; crestfallen; dejected; feeling exhausted; feeling drained
(stare or glare with) scornful eyes; reproachful eyes; disgusted eyes
what would (you) do?; what to do about it
leaving (a decision, job, etc.) to someone else; entrusting; leaving the choice of a meal to the chef; omakase
position; situation; viewpoint; standpoint; point of view
finishing blow; coup de grâce
spirit; mind; nature; disposition; intention; mind; mood
declining; refusal; rejection; announcement; notice
(something) has never occurred; to have never done (something); such a thing has not happened; never happens; there is never a time when
needle (compass, gauge, etc.); hand (clock); indicator; guiding principle; guideline; guide
I'm sorry; my apologies; may I come in?; permission; leave; dismissal
various; a variety of; variously; in various ways; various things; this and that
even if; even though; even; too; whether ... or ...; no matter (what, where, who, etc.)
average; medium; mid-grade (item); regular grade; same level as; equal to
pay; salary; wages; allowance; grant; supply
declining; refusal; nonacceptance; turning down; withdrawal (e.g. of candidacy); pulling out (e.g. of a race)
way; method; means; resource; course
rightly or wrongly; by all possible means; at all costs; at any cost; no matter what (happens); by fair means or foul
negotiations; bargaining; discussions; connection; relationship; relations
have to (do, be); must (do, be); is indispensable; is absolutely necessary
preface; introduction; preamble
to lie; to pretend; to feign; to deceive; to trick
to get worked up; to be eager (enthusiastic); to rouse oneself
in terms of both ... and ...; from the perspective of ... as well as ...; whether it be ... or ...
to make time; to carve out some time (to do something)
not knowing when to let go (give up, etc.); unwilling to resign; having lingering attachment; regretful
probably; (most) likely; in all likelihood; I suspect; I dare say; I'm afraid
riot; rebellion; (media) uproar; brouhaha; feud; tussle
town; block; downtown; main street; street; road
walking; strolling; roaming; wandering; exploring