to begin slipping or sliding; to make a start upon
head-on fight; direct confrontation; head-to-head contest
unheard-of; unprecedented; unparalleled in history (unparallelled); record-breaking
to take on a role; to take part
to narrow; to reduce; to contract
formal; courteous; ritual; ritualistic
each and every one of them; every last one of them; all a bunch of
in bad shape; not doing well; not going well; out of condition; in poor form
viewing as a problem; problematizing
point of an argument; drift of an argument
to charm; to bewitch; to enchant; to captivate; to fascinate
if you like; if you prefer; if it suits you; if ... doesn't suit you; if you don't like ...; if ... doesn't take your fancy
badness; evilness; bad; evil
to transmit by word of mouth
approval; license; licence; permission
in the same breath; hardly had the words been said
operation; management; handling; manipulating (to one's benefit); manipulation; influencing
sect; denomination; school (e.g. of poetry)
for convenience; as a matter of convenience
hermetically seal; sealing (e.g. envelope)
to bear; to stand; to support; to withstand; to be fit for; to be equal to
fried cake of minced meat
to set on fire; to ignite
tilefish (Branchiostegus spp.); blanquillo; horse-head fish
nervous; highly strung; sensitive; fussy; worried about petty things
head start; initiative; preemption
straw bag; sack; bale; counter for sacks (of rice, potatoes, coal, etc.)
seed (e.g. of a plant); pip; material (e.g. for an article); matter (e.g. of a story); ingredient; leaven (bread); cause
supporting role (actor); minor role
shaking (e.g. a container); milkshake; shake
flickering; flashing on and off; glaringly (bright); painfully (bright); prickling (pain)
no wonder; little wonder; after all; as expected; which isn't surprising
to screw up; to put the screws on (a person); to constrict (someone, something)
reproachful; resentful; spiteful
brilliant achievement; spectacular feat; splendid accomplishment; remarkable deed