what I want to say is ...; the fact of the matter is ...; none other than ...
to strive; to endeavour; to endeavor; to make an effort; to be zealous
improvement (e.g. in skill, ability); advance; progress; communication of opinions of the general populace to those of high rank
failed creative work; flop; dud; bomb
day in question; appointed day; that very day; the day (of issue, publication, etc.)
vivid; brightly colored; brilliant; radiant
to be excited; to be elated
seven times; many times; seventh (interval)
to take someone's life; to kill someone
to get rid of; to erase; to dispel; to eradicate; to wipe away
to be lost in deep thought; to be deeply immersed in thought
to pile up; to make a heap; to lay (e.g. bricks); to acquire (e.g. experience); to build (a reputation)
common occurrence; everyday occurrence; not an uncommon case; normal thing; everyday affair
uh-huh; mm-hmm; with a moan; with a groan
to set aside; to keep in reserve; to hold on to
drawer; withdrawal (of money from an account); variety of knowledge and experience useful for handling things impromptu
mention (in a document); record; entry; statement; listing
to harm; to hurt; to injure; to miss one's chance to (do something); to fail to (do what one ought to have done)
difference; disparity; gap
cover (of a book, magazine, etc.); binding; appearing on the cover of a magazine
piece (scrap, bit, strip) of paper
handwriting; calligraphy specimen; example of penmanship; holograph
original text with its translation printed side by side or on opposite page
fairy tale; fairy story; nursery tale
eggplant (Solanum melongena); aubergine
another language; different languages
measure; step; countermeasure; counterplan; countermove; strategy
deepest part; deepest portion; depths (of the ocean etc.); innermost
storage; housing for equipment and machines; putting into computer memory
frost; white hair; grey hair; gray hair
any kind of; every; whatsoever; whatever
suited figure; person in a suit
white clothes; white robe; white gown (worn by doctors, chemists, etc.); commoner without rank (in ancient China); layperson
source (of a river); fountainhead; source; origin; root
happy event; cause for celebration; congratulations
watchdog; chaperone; watcher
to stand watch; to stand guard; to look out; to open (one's eyes) wide
one by one; in detail; minutely
cardinal (Catholic church)