war potential; military strength; fighting power; ability (to compete); capabilities; valuable asset
mixed with; mingled with; interspersed with; dashed with; sprinkled with
with a boom; with a crash; with a rumble
easygoing; optimistic; conceited
pitiful; unfortunate; poor; unpardonable; regrettable
person in charge (including a supervisory role for other staff); person responsible for ...; responsible party; supervisor; manager
lending (money, commodities, etc.); finance; loan; adaptability; versatility; flexibility
stagnation; deposit; sediment; faltering; hesitation; pause
becoming more serious or severe; aggravation; intensification
spy; agent provocateur; covert operative; maker; builder; constructor
to imagine; to picture; to figure; to see
achievement; performance; results; work; contribution
(official) commendation; public recognition (of someone's achievements, good deeds, etc.); awarding; honouring
awarding; conferment; granting; presentation
to snatch (and run); to carry off; to swipe; to scoop up (and remove; sand, earth, etc.)
suspicious; doubtful; dubious; questionable; fishy
understanding completely; understanding all there is to know
government office; agency; board
uh-huh; mm-hmm; with a moan; with a groan
to walk noisily; to walk loudly
insincere smile; ingratiating smile; polite smile; forced smile
pattern; behavioural pattern; behavioral pattern; predictability
selection (from many people for an important position); exceptional promotion
heap; pile; stack; full measure
to get an upset stomach; to have diarrhea
to be taken aback; to be astonished; to be dumbfounded
manipulation of information; spin
to become loose; to slacken; to soften
relation; relative; kind; cordial
foundation; base; basis; from the beginning; from the outset; by nature
to run counter to; to go against; to disobey; to infringe
going against one's will; contrary to one's intentions; going against one's desire; going contrary to one's wishes
to hesitate to say; to hem and haw; to falter in one's speech; to be stuck for a word; to mumble
general term; generic name
to visit and comfort or console; to go to see (e.g. someone in hospital); to ask after (e.g. someone's health); to attack; to hit; to strike
having not the slightest idea
result; effect; performance; success
to come to realize; to become aware (of)
to kick down; to oust (a rival) to advance oneself; to push (someone) aside to get ahead
daring; fearless; intrepid; bold; tough
this and that; various things