protagonist; main character; hero; head (of a household); proprietor (of a store)
well connected; well known; having a large, diverse circle of acquaintances
pride (in one's achievements, possessions, etc.); self-praise; boast
to be obsessive (about); to be overly concerned (with); to be particular (about); to pay special attention (to); to get stuck; to be obstructed
to be too numerous; to be too much
careful; scrupulous; thorough; conscientious; elaborate; deliberate
middle; halfway; half (of); one half; half (e.g. done, jokingly); partly
dumbfounded; overcome with surprise; in blank amazement; in a daze
mystery novel; detective novel; whodunit
enthusiast; fan; lover; devotee; aficionado
small-format paperback book; pocket paperback
to engrave an inscription; to call (designate) itself; to mark; to label
questionnaire; survey; poll
to be delighted; to be glad; to congratulate; to welcome (a proposal, advice, etc.); to take kindly to; to do with pleasure
most ... ever; most ... up to now; more ... than ever before
one copy (of a book, magazine, etc.); one volume
rate; ratio; one tenth; ten percent; (comparative) profit; gain; assignment
what proportion; what percentage
to take (all of) into consideration
from the standpoint of; from the viewpoint of; on; above; the best; top
ill will; malice; evil intent
exit; way out; outlet; vent
actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.); (on) site; (on) the ground; filming location; (movie) set
layout (of a house or apartment); arrangement of rooms
character (in a play, novel, film, etc.); dramatis personae
to run through (a crowd, gate, etc.); to sweep through (e.g. of news through a city); to run past (someone) from behind; to overtake
pure; true; genuine; unmixed
to be possible; to be conceivable; to be likely; to be probable
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that
obvious; (as) clear as day; plain to see
to nail (to something); to nail down; to bang (e.g. one's head); to knock; to throw (at a wall, on the floor, etc.); to fling (at)
fair; fair ball; fair (event)
setting a question (for an exam, quiz, etc.); setting a theme (for composition of poetry)
ennui; languishing; feeling of exhaustion; lassitude; lethargy
X mark (indicating an incorrect answer, disagreement, cancellation, etc.)
among these; between these; of these
to be closed; to be blocked; to be clogged; to be plugged up; to be occupied; to be taken (e.g. accommodation)
fruitless effort; wasted effort; abortive scheme; futility
ability; performance; efficiency