progress; pace; carriage; step; stage
oh!; ah!; oh dear!; good grief!; dear me!; thank God!
silence (not speaking); muteness
real intention; motive; true opinion; what one really thinks
no more than; just; only; mere; goes no further than
to apologize; to apologise; to make an apology
to speak distinctly; to speak clearly; to put it bluntly; to get to the point; to be frank
confession (to a crime, wrongdoing, etc.); admission; professing one's feelings (to someone one wants to go out with); declaration of love; profession (of faith); confession (of sins)
at any cost; at any price; at any expense
qualifications; requirements; capabilities
to cut into (a conversation); to interject
magnificent; grand; fair; square; grandly; boldly
moral duty; moral obligations; justification; pretext; just cause
concerning ...; over ...; about ...; centering on ...
to have a lot on one's shoulders; to bear a lot of responsibility
to be a match for; to rival; to equal; to compare with; to be equivalent to
high-spec; highly competitive (on the dating scene, e.g. by having a high income, being good-looking); ticking all the boxes
shabby; dull; cheap; lackluster; uninspiring; depressing
now that; since; so long as; because
looking at someone (with upturned eyes); glancing upwards (at someone)
thump-thump; bang-bang; pit-a-pat; to beat fast (of one's heart); to throb; to pound
for the first time in one's life
to take out; to carry out; to bring out from where it belongs; to mention something; to broach a topic; to bring up (a subject)
drama; play; powerful drug
to hold a grudge; to hold something against someone
stomach and intestines; gastrointestinal tract; digestive organs
close adhesion; sticking firmly (to); relating closely (to); having relevance (to); contact printing
unprincipled; inconstant; unscrupulous
to refuse; to reject; to decline; to prevent (from doing); to deny (e.g. access); to block
to cause trouble (for someone); to annoy; to bother; to inconvenience
aftercare; care for patients after discharge from hospital; after-sales service
wheedling child; spoiled child; pampered child; child who always demands attention
to be satisfied; to be pleased; to be proud; to show pleasure (in one's voice or expression); to moan with pleasure
bright red; deep red; flushed (of face); downright (e.g. lie); complete; utter
small child; pipsqueak; short person; midget; small animal; runt
to become serious; to take something seriously (e.g. a joke, teasing); to become irritated or angry (esp. at something trivial); to get worked up