to begin to dissolve; to start melting; to dissolve into (a liquid)
drop (e.g. of water); drip
one after another; in rapid succession
just one person; only one
to come loose; to come untied; to come undone; to loosen up (e.g. tension)
philosophical view; looking at philosophically; long view; farsighted view
dark clouds gather; threatening signs emerge; trouble is afoot
cloudy sky; overcast sky; cloudy weather
grieving; mourning; being very sad
to detest; to abhor; to loathe
to be disheartened; to lose heart; to be sprained; to be snapped; to be broken
censure; criticism; blame; disparagement; vilification
toilet; restroom; bathroom; going to the toilet; relieving oneself
head (of an office, laboratory, etc.); chief
just right (time, size, length, etc.)
on the way home from work
detective bureau; detective agency; investigation firm
to take (seat, position, course, office, etc.); to assume; to ascend (the throne); to accede; to start (on a journey); to commence
chief; main; principal; important
tenant (usu. office block, shopping center, etc.)
careless (with something, esp. time, money, promises, etc.); lax; loose-fitting; relaxed-fit; laid-back (e.g. beat, rhythm); easygoing (e.g. atmosphere)
in fact; as a matter of fact; actually; in reality; to tell the truth
to grasp at straws; to resort to desperate measures
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
to be quiet (due to lack of activity); to be in a slump (of a business)
things don't work that well in the real world; things seldom go as one wishes; that is expecting too much; it won't be that easy; (lit.) the wholesaler won't sell it like that
life story; personal narrative; story of one's life
to reminisce; to engage in a lively conversation; to discuss mutual interests
multi-floor building; multi-storey building; tall building
appearance; shape; form; atmosphere; look; feel
choosing a site (e.g. for industry); deciding on a location; standpoint; position
great difference; big difference; wide margin
household items; furniture; furnishings; (arch.) bow and arrow
air of luxury; high class feel
leaving everything up to someone else
to get a lump in one's throat; to overflow with feelings; to be overwhelmed with emotion
properly; accurately; exactly; neatly; tidily; orderly
in 8 or 9 cases out of ten; in all probability
blunt; to the point; direct; outspoken; frank
best student; leading disciple
variable; changeable; convertible; controllable
busyness; a lot of things to do; frequent use; heavy use (of); many uses
business hours; opening hours; office hours
(time of) emergency; (in) event of emergency; (in) case of emergency