reaching a peak; reaching the limit; plateauing; maxing out
prior investment; upfront investment
to smoke (a cigarette); to behave as ...; to accelerate; to rev up
to be embarrassed for a reply; to be at a loss for a reply
establishment; opening; setting up; inauguration
autograph; signature; sign; signal; indication
stagnation; tie-up; standstill; congestion; delay; accumulation
full house; all seats occupied; fully occupied
it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
to protrude; to stick out; to be forced out; to be pushed out; to go over (e.g. a budget); to go beyond
festival; feast; carnival
great pair; well-oiled two-man team
having a habit of stealing things; being light-fingered
to give the stamp of approval
the New Year begins; the New Year starts
love; attachment; tender emotions; falling in love
to let dry; to kill (vegetation); to season (lumber)
to push aside; to overcome (e.g. difficulties); to align; to put in order; (arch.) to push open
happy event; cause for celebration; congratulations
if you don't mind; if you like; if you feel up for it; if you're interested
delay; lag; postponement; falling behind
ticket; token; label; tag; sign; card; playing card
turnover rate (merchandise, capital)
to count on the abacus; to calculate cost-benefit; to calculate profitability; to be guided by self-interest
to revel in trouble and discord; to be bent on making trouble; to like starting fights
stinging (pain); smarting; tingling
Mara; demon king who attempted to hinder Gautama Buddha from attaining enlightenment; obstacle to enlightenment; penis
desolate field; withered field
main question; real issue at hand
the usual; as it always is; said; that (previously-mentioned person or object); (arch.) in the usual way
to play with; to joke; to use (esp. trick, sophistry, etc.); to deride; to scoff at; to make fun of
dressing oneself; putting on clothes; embezzlement
forfeiture; seizure; confiscation; impounding