complicated; complex; intricate; confusing; difficult; troublesome
stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
scene; sight; scenario; setting
to be present (esp. during a birth); to be witness to; to attend
outside the country; abroad
means of making contact; intermediary; go-between; connections; influence; pull
persuasiveness; powers of persuasion; cogency
serious; severe; grave; acute
to assume an air of ...; to act ...; to affect ...; to put on airs; to be self-important
(any) more; further; in addition (to this); at this stage; now; now that things have come to this
contrived; false-sounding
finally; in the end; at last; in the end; after all; never (happened)
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
ominous; sinister; unlucky; inauspicious
preface; introduction; preamble
(not even) an inch; (not even) a little bit; (lit.) one millimeter
to await; to wait for; to expect
last; final; closing; last train (bus, flight, etc.; of the day)
to be opposite; to face each other; to confront (an issue); to face
to exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.); to surpass; to be more than; to be better than
to threaten; to menace; to frighten (into doing)
important; significant; precious; valuable; careful
(switched) on; being on the green (of one's ball)
robot; (mere) puppet; pawn; figurehead
acting as agent; acting on (someone's) behalf; executing business for
being in charge (of an area of responsibility); being responsible (for a work role, etc.)
occasionally; once in a while; now and then
objection; refutation; rebuttal; counterargument
verbal gaffe; verbal slip; slip of the tongue; using improper words
to fail to hear something; to miss; to act as if one didn't hear something; to let a remark slide
... is the reason; ... is my excuse
anyone; anybody; everyone; whoever
misunderstanding; misapprehension; misconception; false impression; wrong idea
isn't it?; don't you think?; right?; surely; come on
to take (preventive) measures; to come to an agreement (in bargaining, etc.); to strike a bargain; to clap one's hands together
to fall fast asleep; to be confined to one's bed; to be laid up
condition; state; health; state (of health); way; manner
sound argument; fair argument; just reasoning
abuse; misuse; perversion