to compose; to put together
from the beginning; from scratch
rule; reign; government; governing
discouraged; dispirited; despondent
reasoning; inference; deduction; mystery genre; detective genre
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
woman or girl who acts cute by playing innocent and helpless
this one; with this; in this way
to be scheduled to (do); to be expected to (do)
footwork; mobility; flexibility; adaptability
bargaining; haggling; tactics; strategy; (tactical) advance or retreat of troops
unbelievable; incredible; implausible
wastepaper; scrap of paper; paper scraps
at the critical moment; when the time comes; when it's most important; when necessary; in an emergency; when push comes to shove
protective wall; defensive wall; barrier; bulwark
tailspin; spin; drilling; boring
tearing up and discarding (e.g. documents); destruction; annulment; cancellation; reversal (of an original ruling on appeal); quashing
dizziness (from standing up too fast); orthostatic syncope; lightheadedness; vertigo
prospects of victory; chances of success
ladder; stairs; going to several places in succession (e.g. barhopping)
natural; reasonable; obvious; usual; common; ordinary
to fall flat; to fall face down
better; preferable; more; increase; (arch.) increase; (arch.) growth
being together; going together; matching (clothing); going together
bad person; villain; scoundrel; wrongdoer; wicked person
all one's strength; desperate effort; (lit.) strength one has when ready to die
to part (from); to part company (with); to split (with); to break off relations (with)
main guest; guest of honor; guest of honour
while; on the same occasion; at the same time; along with
somehow; for some reason; in some way; vaguely
to speak frankly; to speak unreservedly; to open up to each other; to talk candidly; to speak by laying everything on the table; to talk straight from the gut
plain; frank; candid; open; direct; straightforward
to detain; to check; to restrain; to stop
abandoned; out-of-use; obsolete; abolished; decommissioned
pilgrimage; walking tour; travelling (on foot)
to be granted (e.g. a title); to be awarded (e.g. a prize); to be gifted with (a talent); to be taught (e.g. a secret technique); to be instructed; to be initiated