disreputable; scandalous; disgraceful
withdrawal; secession; separation; breakaway
significant; useful; meaningful; worthwhile; valuable; of interest
fictitious; imaginary; fanciful; aerial; overhead
parlance; manner of speaking; art of conversation; narration; speech; discourse
criticism; blame; rejection; flick (of the finger)
balcony; veranda; verandah; porch
to flutter in the wind; to wave in the wind
pretext; pretense; pretence
inquiry into; enquiry into; prying (into); investigation; search; exploration
flicker (light); waver; trickle (water); glance at
city road; municipal road; the way of trade; the pursuit of profit
to take a breather; to take a rest; to catch one's breath; to take a breath
to feel depressed; to be down
to enter; to go into; to meddle (in); to interfere (in); to go deeply (into an issue); to delve deeper (into)
consistently; unchangingly; throughout
byway; bypath; byroad; loophole; way out (of trouble); excuse
a little embarrassing; slightly embarrassed; somewhat ashamed; extremely embarrassing; extremely embarrassed
bargain sale; selling cheaply; selling at a low price; giving out (too) readily; handing out freely; selling (oneself) short
heartlessness; hardness of heart; coldheartedness; insentient; inanimate
with time we forget those who have died; out of sight, out of mind; friendships fade with distance
sprinkling water (to keep down dust, cool pavements, etc.)
to explain away; to answer evasively
cancellation; liquidation; resolution; reduction (e.g. of stress)
separation; farewell; parting
contest decided by a single round (bout); contest decided by a single roll of dice; one-shot game (contest); make-or-break game
preface; introduction; lead in (to a joke, question, etc.); lead up; payment in advance (by bank transfer); swinging (one's body) forward
logical connection; chain of reasoning; coherence; blood vessel
friend; companion; acquaintance; friendship; companionship
to be at a loss for words; to be speechless; to be dumbfounded; to be struck dumb
(it was) not until; (it was) only when
quotation; citation; reference
to yell; to shout; to scream; to bawl
determined spirit; unyielding spirit; will
face; looks; countenance; vestige; trace; reminder
to probe; to search; to sound out; to investigate
(main) point; gist; key points; essentials; substance; summary
more harm than good; harmful and of no use
to be certain of; to have faith in; to believe completely; to trust (someone completely)
sobbing; weeping; fit of crying
to stand side by side; to stand in a row