as usual; as always; as ever; as before; still
thorny shrub; wild rose; briar; thorn; cusp
shrine; palace; imperial residence; Imperial prince; Imperial princess; headboard with built-in shelves, drawers, etc.
blunder; (careless) mistake; error
preservation; integrity; conservation; maintenance
leisurely post; do-nothing job; sinecure
to bend; to turn up; to turn down; to double
to go to; to visit; to call on
gushing forth; bursting out; (lit.) like breaking a dam
sunset; sundown; end; close; year-end; end of the year
patient; unhurried; leisurely
follow-up report; further news
study; library; den; home office; reading room
to poke (repeatedly, lightly); to nudge; to peck at (one's food); to pick at; to peck at (someone's faults, etc.); to egg on
only recently; just of late
to reflect on (oneself, past conduct, etc.); to contemplate; to examine; to think over; to introspect
bachelorhood; single; unmarried; celibate
government-controlled gambling; municipally operated gambling
magnification; leverage; amplification; competitiveness rating (e.g. for university entrance); applicant-to-acceptance ratio
rare; uncommon; not often seen
safe tile; tile that may be discarded without risking benefiting an opponent; no-risk choice; easily handled person
first time; first; initial
abstention; nonparticipation
keeping an eye on people's belongings (so they don't get stolen)
juniors dominating seniors; inferiors overthrowing their superiors; retainer supplanting his lord
player (of a sport); athlete; team member
to resort to violence; to perform a drastic act
fierce look; frightening look; tough look; aggressive attitude; coercive attitude; taking a hard line
to bite into; to sink one's teeth into; to stick to; to cling to; to hold on to
to take a view or perspective; to regard as; to consider to be