(police) detective; criminal matter
rough; wild; rude; harsh; gruff; violent
difference; disparity; gap
to find out; to dig up; to sniff out; to worm out; to pry out; to spy out
birds of prey (of order Falconiformes or Strigiformes); raptors
to destroy; to break (by striking); to smash; to ruin (a plan, atmosphere, etc.); to spoil; to wreck
to shoot through (a wall, the heart, etc.); to go through; to pierce; to hit (e.g. the bull's-eye)
influence; clout; leverage
society; the world; the times
to play dumb; to feign ignorance; to act innocent
to contract a disease; to get sick; to become ill
to determine (esp. a culprit or underlying cause); to pin down; to ascertain; (arch.) to stab to death
live coals (for firelighting); cause (of disturbance, conflict, etc.); trigger
robbery; pillage; seizure; hijacking; plunder; extortion
to set up (a house, store, etc.); to build; to have at the ready (e.g. a gun); to hold in preparation (e.g. a camera); to adopt a posture; to assume a stance; to put on an air
to be forestalled; to fall behind; to be one step behind
company; corporation; firm; one's workplace
to meet (the enemy) and attack; to engage (the approaching enemy); to confront; to intercept
mixture; blending; complication; crossing; intersecting; interlacing
to scatter; to cause a shower of; to disperse; to distribute; to resolve (a symptom, condition, etc.); to relieve
tension; strain; tensions (between countries, groups, etc.); tonus; muscle tone
opening (a door, window, etc.); leaving open; opening up (e.g. to the public); allowing (public) access
relaxation (e.g. of muscles); becoming flaccid
risky; dangerous; insecure
subtleties; niceties; fine points; subtle; sensitive
one's habitual practice; usual measure; old trick
a matter of course; what is to be expected; par for the course
performance; trick; feat; extraordinary deed; daring act; bold move
treacherous; dangerous; untrustworthy; sneaky; cunning
intimidating air; sense of intimidation
reserve; spare; preparation; preliminaries
to form; to make; to build up (e.g. a fortune); to create; to accomplish; to achieve; to change (into)
as usual; as always; as ever; as before; still
soft; tender; soft (colour, light, etc.); subdued; informal; light
burr (e.g. chestnut); bur; cupule; case
agile; nimble; casual (clothing); light (e.g. luggage); carefree; with limited responsibility
landing (on the ground); landing place; terminal; (shipping) destination; outcome; final result
to all appearances; no matter how you look at it
to throw violently against; to slam against; to strike; to thrust at someone (e.g. a letter)