restoring one's impaired reputation; regaining one's honor; redeeming oneself
means of survival; means of escape; way out of a difficulty
specialist; expert; professional; authority; pundit
height; acme; extremity; end; limit
town; city; municipal; urban
solid; strong; sturdy; durable; stout
fortress; stronghold; citadel
structure; construction; makeup; framework; organization; pattern
if (it) doesn't exist; if there is no ...; if not ...; unless ...; have to ...; must ...
not worth considering; out of the question
with profound (often hidden) meaning; pregnant with significance; meaningful; suggestive; interesting
at the critical moment; when the time comes; when it's most important; when necessary; in an emergency; when push comes to shove
to gather momentum; to gather strength; (for a trend) to reach a peak
idle complaint; grumble; moha (ignorance, folly)
to blink (one's eyes) repeatedly
live coals (for firelighting); cause (of disturbance, conflict, etc.); trigger
to be congenial; to agree with one; to be in one's nature
not becoming a problem; out of the question; not worth considering; insignificant; negligible
in name only; figurehead; (only) by name
independent unit; autonomous unit
to lay aside; to set aside
spotless integrity; absolute honesty; uprightness
lending (money, commodities, etc.); finance; loan; adaptability; versatility; flexibility
skill; proficiency; experience; dexterity
perfect score; full marks; perfect; entirely satisfactory; excellent
enemy territory; hostile place
(in) secrecy; behind closed doors
to finish reading; to read through; to figure out; to fully anticipate
to look (stare) back at (someone); to look at again; to re-examine; to prove oneself superior (to someone who had previously been condescending); to put a person to shame; to look back (behind oneself)
to pick a fight (with); to find fault (with)