to forestall; to beat to the punch; to anticipate; to play the first move (e.g. in go)
ban on entering (a building, venue, etc.)
entering a store; entering a restaurant; becoming an employee of a store; starting to work at a store; opening up a shop (in a department store, etc.)
armed might; military power; the sword; force
true character; true heart; true spirit
black curtain; wirepuller; mastermind; backroom manipulator
feeling guilty; having a guilty conscience; having qualms about
favorite; favourite; pet (e.g. teacher's pet); bookmark (in a web browser)
there's no smoke without fire
matter in question; that matter; the matter; the issue
to fail (in getting a job); to miss out (at fishing, hunting, etc.); to be left out; to be crowded out
limited time; limited-time offer
deduction in advance (of tax, interest, etc.)
wages; pay; rental payment
in order; sequential; seriatim
to bite at; to snap at; to jump at (e.g. an offer); to snap at; to hold on to; to cling to
to torment; to pain; to inflict (physical) pain; to harass; to cause (emotional) pain; to afflict
harassment (esp. in workplace); bullying; discrimination
vacant land; unoccupied ground; empty lot; empty point
opening (a new store, golf course, runway, etc.); open; frank; open (car, collar, tournament, etc.)
being greatly in the red; taking a big loss; heavy deficit
(being in) the black; surplus; black letter
paying; remunerative; advantageous; profitable
personal (employee); employed; retained
arrest; apprehension; capture
amount sold; sales; proceeds; takings; turnover
dramatic decrease; sharp drop; sudden fall
to cry and beg for mercy; to apologize in tears
to hang; to suspend; to dangle; to swing; to carry
mixture of fact and fiction; half-truth
outward appearance; ostensible; public; official
spreading; disseminating; scattering; diffusion (of light, gas)
sexually transmitted disease; STD; sexually transmitted infection; STI; venereal disease; VD
secret medicine; secret remedy; nostrum; wonder drug; excellent remedy
sexual relief; masturbation
handsome man; looker; good guy; great guy; influential person (esp. in the yakuza); sumo wrestler
to walk with; to make someone tag along; to carry around (esp. a child); to carry about