to take a veneer off something
secret understanding; collusion
one's forte; strong point; specialty; speciality
stripe; bar; streak; (weaved) stripe pattern (of 2 or more different colors)
standing tree; standing timber
rash; thoughtless; imprudent; careless; frivolous
to hear; to catch (the sound of something); to hear about (rumour, etc.); to overhear; to get used to hearing
to miss a chance; to fail to do
dispatch; despatch; deployment; temporary employee (esp. from an agency); temporary worker; agency temp
charm; attractiveness; courtesy; ingratiating behaviour; entertainment; amusement
safety measure; safety precaution
cancellation; abandonment
whereabout; about where; how much
to steel oneself to; to brace oneself
to unravel; to untie; to break into small pieces (of fish, meat, etc.); to relax; to ease
regular; usual; favourite; favorite; preferred; accustomed
retro; nostalgic; old-fashioned
hazing; gruelling training; waistband; woman's undergirdle
doting; being affectionate (to); training harshly; tormenting
to be knotty (of a tree, etc.); to be gnarled; to be rough and bony (hands, fingers, etc.); to be gnarled; to be knobby
not at all inferior to; rival or surpass; compare favorably (with)
throughout; all through; right through
to stick to; to cling to; to adhere to; to become intimate (of a man and woman); to get close; to get married
halo; angel ring; glow of freshly washed or treated hair
tranquillity and peace; tranquility and peace; peaceful and uneventful
snatching; stealing; seizure; usurpation
who on earth; just exactly who; who the heck
to seek a path; to find one's way
passenger seat; assistant driver's seat
all members; everybody; regular member