time to pay the piper; (lit.) time to pay the land tax (in kind)
win; victory; beautiful scenery; scenic spot; counter for wins
to let someone have the credit for (a success); (lit.) to let someone else carry the flowers
long-awaited; much-awaited
bizarre plan; perplexing strategy; outlandish scheme
to creep up; to crawl up; to overcome (a bad situation); to rise (after a setback)
(dragging a large or heavy item) slowly; (falling) little by little; (slipping) gradually; on and on; while putting off; with a slurp
to sniff out; to get wind of
informal summer clothes for men (short jacket and trousers)
if you are prepared you don't have to worry; it's good to have a shelter against every storm
to make good use of; to use to one's advantage
dumpling store; dumpling seller
half in doubt; half-convinced; dubious; incredulous
rehabilitation (in society)
thoughtless; inconsiderate; tasteless; cruel
the proof of the pudding is in the eating; the proof is in the pudding; don't knock it till you've tried it; you can't tell unless you try
heading; headline; index; headword
point worthy of note; highlight; high point; good prospects for the future; promise
mention (in a document); record; entry; statement; listing
encompassing; covering (exhaustively); including (all of); comprising; comprehending
elegant; charming; refined; enchanting; tasteful
merchant's home; rented home; store; shop
ivy (esp. Boston ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata)
method of bringing up; method of raising
often; again and again; frequently; repeatedly
grandfather; male senior-citizen
by return; (call or write back) without delay; lapel; cuff; going back; returning; chorus
attaching the familiar suffix "-chan" to somebody's name
major company; big company; front castle gate; force attacking the front of a castle
god-like existence; person far higher (in hierarchy, etc.) than oneself
parsimonious spirit; tendency to be frugal; inclination to scrimp and save; tendency to fuss over trivial things; worrier's disposition
cost performance; cost effectiveness; price-performance ratio; value for money; bang for one's buck