softly; mildly; gently; politely
to become loose; to slacken (e.g. rope); to become less tense; to relax; to slacken (e.g. coldness, supervision); to become lax; to become softer (e.g. ground, facial expression)
to become tense; to be tightened; to become firm (e.g. body)
to be far apart (from); to be a long way off (from); to be remote; to be very different (from); to be quite unlike; to be far from (e.g. the truth)
substitute (actor); stand-in; fill-in; understudy; double
to draw close to; to edge up to; to snuggle up to; to nestle close to; to cuddle with; to draw closer to
maintenance; servicing; putting in place; development; improvement
one's every action; every single move
to look displeased; to frown; to scowl; to look grave; to look serious
self-respect; prudence; not acting rashly; taking care of oneself; being careful with one's health
meddling (in); butting in; interference; poking one's nose into
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall
cunning and experienced in the ways of the world; crafty and worldly-wise; sly old (fox)
to weather (a storm, rough seas); to ride across; to get through (adversity); to weather; to load completely (e.g. books on a shelf, people or luggage in a car)
child born within a year of another; children born in consecutive years
babies born on October 10, supposedly conceived on New Year's Day; normal gestation time (i.e. 9 months)
intercalary month (lunar calendar); leap month
proportion; proportional representation section (of an election)
loss (of weight or volume, e.g. in transit); ullage; outage; decrease (in value); reduction
racking one's brains; worrying oneself; being anxious
unreliable; undependable; helpless; forlorn; worried; uneasy
to stare at each other; to lock eyes (with)
obstruction; impediment; hindrance; inhibition; blocking; check
to gain a bad reputation; to fall into ill repute
deep affection; devotion; profound attachment
to break off; to come to an end; to be interrupted; to be cut short; to pause
longish; moderately long; somewhat long; fairly long
middle of the night; dead of night
to follow; to pursue; to die right after a loved one; to kill oneself after the death of a loved one; to follow an example set by earlier generations (or one's master, etc.)
to withdraw from (a deal); to wash one's hands of; to lead by the hand
unusual event; strange occurrence; strange phenomenon; something abnormal; change (for the worse); accident
night watch; night sentry
close escort; close protection
appointment; nomination; ordination; commission; designation
to lie deep in; to extend far back
same generation; one's generation
long, slender and well-proportioned; smooth, continuous (movement)