very thin; flimsy; cheap; shallow
quite indifferent; looking blank; looking as though one has nothing at all to do with what is going on
irrational (line of) argument
rematch (e.g. in sumo when the match is too close to decide)
delay; lag; postponement; falling behind
to lean coquettishly against; to snuggle into; to nestle into
flurried; flustered; upset; nervous; embarrassed
stealing a march on; getting a head start; secretly acting before others; solo raid on an enemy's camp (for glory)
to find fault with other people rather than oneself; (for the pot) to call the kettle black
misfortune; adverse fortune; hapless fate; checkered (life, career, etc.); varied; eventful
to start to say; to attempt to say; to be about to say; to speak to; to address
to run away; to escape safely
to be surprising; to be shocking; to be jaw-dropping
to coo at; to behave like a spoiled child; to snort; to sniff
to be hesitant; to feel timid
to grasp back; to squeeze back; to grab back
daring; fearless; intrepid; bold; tough
the whole world; the whole country; society; the public; supremacy over a nation; government of a country; having one's own way
courier; smuggler; carrier (e.g. of illegal drugs); trafficker
to become desperate; to give in to despair
in history; ever; historical
from afar; over a great distance; all the way
preface; introduction; preamble
to run around; to bustle about; to busy oneself
abstention; nonparticipation
because ...; for ...; the reason being ...; as for ...; when it comes to ...; regarding ...
to act as an agent for; to intermediate; to announce (someone's arrival); to answer (the door, the phone); to convey (a message)
two places; two spots; two locations; two parts; two passages
those present; attendance
without (doing); instead of; if (it) isn't done; if (one) doesn't do ...; if not ...; unless ...
together; mutually; fellow
groan; moan; roar; growl; buzz; hum (e.g. motor)
here and there; in places
one country; whole country; hotheaded; stubborn
contemplation; meditation
Chinese "Three Stars" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
keep ...-ing; have been ...-ing; leaving (something) on; leaving (something) still in use
ambush; troops in ambush; unexpected opposition; unexpected obstacle
ticket; token; label; tag; sign; card; playing card