laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
prediction; prophecy; prognostication
to insult; to say something insulting about; to bad-mouth
to cling to ... in tears; to beg ... in tears; to appeal; to throw oneself on someone's mercy
tail and fins; embellishment (of a story, rumor, etc.); exaggeration
unfounded (e.g. rumour); groundless; baseless; completely untrue
fiction; made-up story; fable; fabrication; myth
to fabricate; to invent; to make up (a story); to cobble up; to put together in a hurry
to be forestalled; to fall behind; to be one step behind
severe; strict; hard (to do); difficult; intense (e.g. cold); harsh (weather)
shelter; cover; screen; shield; obstruction; defilade
to be sorry; to beg pardon; to be grateful; to be amazed; to be filled with awe; to be disconcerted
to be extremely cautious; to be as sure as sure can be; to make assurance doubly sure
affixing; pasting; sticking
picture; drawing; painting; image (TV, film, etc.); picture; footage
full particulars; the whole story; from beginning to end
whispering; murmuring; subdued
national politics; political situation; statecraft; body politic
to look down on; to make light of
to proceed with; to continue with; to move on; to go forward; to pursue
tattling; telling on (someone)
time; season; period; phase; stage
religious leader; person of religion; religious figure; religionist
to explain; to advocate; to preach; to persuade
in conflict; incompatible; out of harmony; running counter; mutually exclusive; clashing with
suspicious-looking; shady; questionable; dubious; fishy
giving; provision; furnishing
relief; reassurance; recognition of right to land ownership (by the shogunate, a feudal lord, etc.); (arch.) living safely surrounded by walls
to say enough (as much as required); to say plenty; to say well; to say cleverly; to say often; to say frequently
to talk down; to corner someone in an argument
to scold; to chide; to rebuke; to reprimand
trembling from fear; trembling all over
to feel anxious; to feel nervous; fluttering down; trickling down (e.g. tears); hanging untidily (of hair); straggling
right in the midst of; right at the height of
document; writing; letter; document addressed to someone
autograph; signature; sign; signal; indication
to use abusive language; to curse; to call someone names
exit; gateway; way out; outlet; vent; leak
complaint; grumbling; objection; phrase; words; expression
heir; heiress; inheritor; successor
head temple of a sect; (organizational) headquarters; (organisational) headquarters
I would be most grateful if you could ...; I would humbly ask that you ...; please ...