supporting actor; supporting actress
to start with the looks; to get the trappings right as the first step; to start (at the wrong end) by focusing on the superficial
as planned; according to plan
preventing (someone) from leaving; confinement; keeping indoors; being stranded; grounding
the very best; excellent; superb
beginning and end; from beginning to end; result; outcome; dealing with something successfully
synopsis; plot; outline; plan; scheme; program
to feel anxious; to feel nervous; fluttering down; trickling down (e.g. tears); hanging untidily (of hair); straggling
thoroughly; completely; severely; harshly; (arch.) scattered; (arch.) disconnected
sabot; wooden shoe; work-to-rule; go-slow strike; slowdown
key person; important person
control tower; conning tower; leader; commander; playmaker; game maker
quick; swift; nimble; quick (understanding, judgement, etc.); alert; prompt
reply (e.g. email, fax, letter); answer
manner; way; appearance; air; custom; convention; folk song (genre of the Shi Jing)
to handle (men); to master (a tool); to manage; to acquire a command of (a language)
deep affection; dear; beloved
condition; assumption; intention; intent; premise
fixed game; rigged bid; put-up job
to support; to maintain; to bring up; to raise; to adopt (a child); to cultivate (a habit, a quality, etc.)
recompense; indemnity; atonement
feelings; emotion; compassion; sympathy; passion; affection
to move (to another place or state); to change (e.g. of state, affiliation, scenery, etc.); to spread (of a fire, smell, etc.); to catch (an illness); to move (e.g. of one's focus); to change (e.g. of one's interest)
to stand by; to be on standby
to distance oneself (from); to keep (something or someone) at a distance; to maintain a distance (from)
rough; wild; violent; immoderate; extravagant; reckless
bitterness; distress; pain; bitterness and astringency
to run (of liquid); to spread; to blur; to blot; to ooze; to well up (of tears, etc.)
sliver of hope; gleam of hope; ray of hope
to cling to; to hang onto; to rely on; to depend on; to implore; to entreat
sneer; derision; scornful laugh; cold smile
hah (derisively); pooh; pfft (of something disappearing); poof; huff; puff
(surprise) attack; assault; raid; charge
plan; scheme; plot; design; project; intention
practice; training; drill; (an) exercise; workout
to get used to; to become accustomed to; to be at home (on the stage)
details; particulars; everything; every last detail
paper-thin (difference); razor-thin; very slight
guarding; guard; railway bridge (over a road); (railroad) overpass; flyover