juniors dominating seniors; inferiors overthrowing their superiors; retainer supplanting his lord
invitation; solicitation; canvassing; canvasing; inducement; persuasion
concrete; tangible; material
puffing (e.g. cigarette smoke); bobbing (to the surface); floating lightly
to confuse (someone); to befuddle; to bewilder; to mystify; to throw up a smokescreen; (lit.) to surround with smoke
whatever will be, will be; things happen the way they happen
to insure (something); to come up with a back-up plan; to hedge one's bets; to play it safe
to add; to write a postscript
reply (e.g. email, fax, letter); answer
to compile; to bring together; to weave; to put together; to bring to a conclusion; to wrap up
workforce reduction; personnel cut
final selection (e.g. of applicants); final screening; shortlisting
in order; sequential; seriatim
enforcement; implementation; putting into practice; carrying out; operation; working (e.g. working parameters)
entreaty; supplication; petition
discouragement; despondency; dejection; disappointment
local specialty or souvenir bought as a gift while travelling; present brought by a visitor; something unpleasant that one is given (e.g. an illness while on vacation); unwelcome gift
to wait for a favorable chance; to wait for a favourable chance
excuse; explanation; justification; defense; defence
homework; assignment; pending issue; unresolved problem; open question
August; eighth month of the lunar calendar
low-ranking samurai; rolling three and one (in a dice game)
to spend time (on doing something)
plain; frank; candid; open; direct; straightforward
appropriation; misappropriation; making one's own
barrier; checkpoint; checking station
forgery; falsification; fabrication; counterfeiting
contraband; taboo; strictly forbidden
operation (of a machine, factory, fishing boat, etc.); work
overlooking; turning a blind eye
strict; rigid; exact; fair; impartial
large sturdy broad-bladed knife, used in woodcraft and hunting
audience (with a person of high standing)
to become muddy; to become cloudy; to become dull (of a sound, color, etc.); to become hoarse; to become impure (of a heart, society, etc.); to be corrupted
great (quantity, amount, etc.); huge; enormous; serious
throughout; over a period of ...; over a span of ...
to make (good) progress; to move right ahead (with the work); to advance
late winter; twelfth month of the lunar calendar
messenger; envoy; emissary
to sprain; to twist; to dampen (enthusiasm); to discourage; to dishearten