toy; (person or thing treated as a) plaything
August; eighth month of the lunar calendar
advance arrangements; preparatory meeting; overlap (of a coat, etc.); (arch.) making something match exactly
spine; line of the backbone; seam down the back (of clothing)
tensely; tightly; erectly; intuitively; instinctively; with a burst
to grow long (e.g. hair, nails); to lengthen; to extend; to reach out; to hold out; to straighten; to smooth out
grown-up (manner, etc.); mature; adult
conversation (just) between you and me; confidential talk
unofficial offer (esp. job offer); tentative decision
topic; subject; much talked about; topical; in the news
making; producing; appearance (attire, make-up, etc.); build; physique; sashimi
to put on the market; to put out for sale; to put on sale; to become popular
(non-documentary) television series; TV drama; teledrama; drama; dramatic incident; spectacle
certain; sure; doubtless; I have no doubt; You can depend on it; It's a safe bet
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); still; all the same; even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
sly; cunning; sneaky; crafty; unfair; dishonest
to separate; to part; to divide; to keep apart
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
fixed game; bid-rigging; put-up job; contest in which the victor is practically known beforehand (e.g. due to unfair conditions or an obvious difference in strength)
to that extent; to that degree; so much; so
to break; to destroy; to wreck; to ruin; to break (a bill, etc.)
truth; reality; truly; really; absolute truth
to confide; to reveal; to disclose; to lay bare; to speak frankly; to open (one's heart)
declining; refusal; nonacceptance; turning down; withdrawal (e.g. of candidacy); pulling out (e.g. of a race)
assembly hall; meeting place; venue; grounds
(stage) appearance; performance; participation (e.g. in a tournament)
choices; alternatives; options
to be wounded; to get injured; to get hurt feelings; to get damaged; to get chipped
necessary; needed; essential; necessity; need; requirement
that child; that kid; that boy; (arch.) you
immediately; at once; soon; before long; easily; readily
to get carried away; to get overly elated; to become over-excited; to get up to speed; to move into gear
to feel down; to feel sad; to be in a slump (business, economy, etc.); to be in an unfavourable condition; to fall into (e.g. a hole)
previously; before; first; before (something or someone else); beforehand; in advance
on purpose; deliberately; intentionally
result; consequence; coming to fruition; bearing fruit; as a result; consequently
to give (esp. to someone of lower status); to bestow; to provide; to afford; to assign; to cause
whitewashing; glossing over; lip service; deftly finishing up; putting on the final touches