if times were better; if one had been born at an earlier, more opportune time; if times had not changed; if I had my due
pride of place; most prominent; top-ranking
achievement; feat; meritorious deed; distinguished service
to notice; to realize; to be attentive; to be scrupulous; to regain consciousness; to come to (one's senses)
what's what; heads or tails
a-ha-ha (laughing loudly)
mockery by means of excessive praise; damning with lavish praise; backhanded compliment
position; situation; viewpoint; standpoint; point of view
future; (future) prospects; bringing (from abroad, another region, etc.); bringing about; giving rise to
to hand over; to transfer; to give up (e.g. one's seat); to give way; to yield; to concede
aid; help; assistance; assistant; counselor; counsellor
in good health; alive and well; going strong
without; but if; otherwise; or else
to quiet (a child, crowd, etc.); to quieten; to calm (one's nerves, excitement, etc.); to compose (oneself); to suppress (a rebellion, riot, fire, etc.); to quell
celebratory banquet; feast
reserve; spare; treasured; valued; (ace) up one's sleeve; trump
plentiful; abundant; ample; lavish
unceremonious party; free and easy gathering; party with no regard for formal etiquette or status
to sing; to sing of (love, beauty, etc.) in a poem; to express in the form of a poem; to recite (a poem)
robust; brawny; muscular; strong; sturdy
to shoulder; to carry on one's shoulder; to nominate for a position; to choose as a representative; to take (someone) for a ride; to deceive
sake cup; cup for alcoholic beverages; ritual exchange of cups (to seal a bond or pledge)
festival; feast; harassment by an Internet pitchfork mob; online shaming; galore (as in "goals galore"); frenzy
roasting; grilling; toasting; tempering (in metallurgy)
turning point; tipping point; commutation point
back row; last row; rearmost row
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); just like (someone)
know-it-all airs; I-know-how-it-is look
(another's) spirit; God's heart or spirit; Lord's will
disrespect; irreverence; impiety; blasphemy; profanity
kneeling down on the ground; prostrate oneself
in accordance with; according to; as X, then Y (e.g. as we age we gain wisdom, as wine matures it becomes more valuable, etc.)
by all rights; properly speaking; legally speaking
highly skilled; skillful; very capable; particularly able person; master-hand; person of ability
highest (e.g. floor); top; best; finest; supreme
exquisite flavor (flavour); delectable flavor; delicious flavor; delicacy; delectable dish