as if (something untrue were actually true); like hell (e.g. "like hell I will")
all you want; as much as one wants
trembling; shivering; jiggling; wobbling; bouncing
order (esp. to a number of people); command; ritual of bowing at start and end of school class
to hear; to listen (e.g. to music); to ask; to enquire; to hear about; to hear of; to follow (advice, order, etc.)
flustered; confused; panicked
maker; builder; creator; tenant farmer
to run a shop; to have a shop
black; black (coffee); without cream or milk; exploitative (esp. of employees); overly harsh; boldface
course (of events); development; progress; market order; order without limit
pattern; figure; state; condition; conjecture of the current situation; the way it seems; model
dilettante; person of fantastic taste
everyday clothes; ordinary clothes; casual wear; informal dress
silent (esp. of the passing of the night); piercing (cold)
to make one's story to seem coherent; to adjust one's story to fit the situation
certain; sure; doubtless; I have no doubt; You can depend on it; It's a safe bet
affliction; hardship; difficulty; suffering; trouble
opening performance; opening act; curtain raiser; minor performer; minor storyteller; subordinate part
advance payment; money paid in advance
lumping together; summing up; bundle; lump; batch
cumulative total; accumulated total; total up to now
special order (goods); custom (made); bespoke
charge; custody; safekeeping; deposit; storage
versatility; multiplicity of use
neighboring countries; neighbouring countries; surrounding countries
save; checking; curbing; suppressing
Chinese "star" constellation (one of the 28 mansions); Singapore
seven; seven years of age; four o'clock (old time system)
plenipotentiary powers; full authority
supplementary biography; anecdote; side story; spin-off
nodding off (while sitting); dozing
one's self-possession; one's presence of mind
help; assistance; service
state secrets; secrets of the state
rouge (esp. lip rouge); lipstick
world domination; global domination
to plan; to form a plan; to scheme; to envision; to intend to do
head-on; to one's face; squarely; directly; flatly (e.g. refuse)
collision; crash; running into; conflict; quarrel; clashing
a few years ago; some years back
20 years old; (arch.) twenty
to accomplish; to achieve; to carry out; to arrive at (a certain outcome); to come to; to end with