the expectation is that ...; the reason is that ...; the fact is that ...; the explanation is that ...; it is that ...
firstborn; first child; eldest child
fast; quick; early (in the day, etc.); premature; (too) soon; not yet
diplomacy; selling (e.g. door-to-door); canvassing
but I suppose; it seems; probably; I guess
to play dumb; to feign ignorance; to play the fool; to be in one's dotage
opposite side; other side; over there; that way; the other party; the other person
have to (verb); must (verb); is indispensable; absolutely necessary
(logical) true; regular; 10^40; ten thousand undecillion; original; positive
to be descended from; to inherit (a disposition, etc.) from one's ancestors
dignity; eminent; high ranking; high-order (digit, bit, etc.)
approximate age; apparent age; marriageable age (esp. of a woman); age of maturity; appropriate age (to ...); old enough (to ...)
isn't it?; let's ...; why don't we ...; how about we ...
to be at a loss for words
unthinkable; unexpected; absolutely not!; far from it!; (it was) no bother at all; not at all
(confronting a problem, etc.) head-on; directly; outright; (lit.) from the front
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
trend of the times; way things are going
approval; agreement; support; favour; favor
feelings; thoughts; meaning
opposition; resistance; antagonism; reverse; opposite; inverse
what; you-know-what; that thing; whatsit; whachamacallit; (not) at all; (not) in the slightest
proposal; proposition; suggestion
splendid; nice; sufficient; fine (in the sense of "I'm fine"); well enough; OK
interest; eagerness; enthusiasm
with trouble; at great pains; rare; valuable; kind; generous
to be seen; to be in sight; to look; to seem; to come
free and uncontrolled; behaving with abandon; freewheeling
adventure; venture; venture which is unlikely to succeed; risky attempt; danger
this sort of; this kind of; like this; such
to make a mess of; to sacrifice; to waste
I'm sorry; my apologies; may I come in?; permission; leave; dismissal
frantic; frenetic; inevitable death; brinkmate (inevitable checkmate)
to go around; to return; to surround; to concern (usu. of disputes)
to spin; to make yarn; to spin (a tale); to assemble (e.g. words); to put together