to draw through one's hand; to stroke (e.g. a beard); to work someone hard; to masturbate
to be working hard; to be doing one's best
even though; despite; when
town girl; girl raised in a town
to boil up; to come to the boil; to arise; to break out; to get excited; to be in uproar
to be still half asleep; to be half awake; to be not yet quite awake
briskly; quickly; promptly
while; on the same occasion; at the same time; along with
putting in an appearance; visiting; coming to the surface; appearing; showing one's face (on TV, social media, etc.); face reveal
second basement level; subbasement
to gather up; to scrape up together; to rake
to push aside; to overcome (e.g. difficulties); to align; to put in order; (arch.) to push open
running fast; double time; cantering; doing things in a hurry
to take (seat, position, course, office, etc.); to assume; to ascend (the throne); to accede; to start (on a journey); to commence
underling; person of low standing; grunt; petty (work, official, etc.); minor; lowly
to beg; to ask; to request; to pray; to wish
to take one's leave; to excuse oneself; to resign (from); to step down; to decline; to turn down
up through; up until; down to; from ... to ... (e.g. from head to toe); everything from ... to ...
to have an eye on; to zero in on
intelligence network; information network
to deliver; to forward; to send; to report; to notify; to file notice (to the authorities)
to order; to command; to appoint
(one's) superior; (one's) boss; the higher-ups
still; even now; to this day
vague; fuzzy; elusive; slippery
to interrupt; to interfere; to meddle; to intrude; to butt in; to poke one's nose into
business; work; operations; service; duties
to work hard at; to devote oneself to; to be diligent in
on rare occasions; once in a blue moon
eccentricity; eccentric behaviour
worthy of special mention
suddenly; in a flash; quickly; conspicuously; prominently; showily
essence; true nature; substance; reality
suddenly; abruptly; unexpectedly
time; meter; beat; the moment (of doing); the instant
to know thoroughly; to have full knowledge of
it is no exaggeration to say; it is not too much to say