personal history; background; career
very; extremely; terrible; horrid; remarkable; extraordinary
worldly wisdom; gumption; stingy person
to excel at; to be proficient at; to grow old; to ripen; to rise high (e.g. of the sun)
laconic; of few words; reticent; quiet
to play with; to joke; to use (esp. trick, sophistry, etc.); to deride; to scoff at; to make fun of
the facts; the truth; the true state of affairs; in truth; in fact; in reality
bright place; the light; the open; light of day; public knowledge
limit; limits; degree; extent; the end; the last; as long as ...
remaining silent; keeping secret
excellent plan; best policy
shithead; bastard; fucking; bloody; damned
to feel around for; to fumble for; to investigate; to probe into; to explore (parts unknown); to enjoy (natural beauty)
to fight to the bitter end
hero; heroine; Eroica Symphony (Beethoven, 1804); Heroic Polonaise (Chopin)
younger brother; little brother; brother-in-law (spouse's younger brother or younger sister's husband); (arch.) pupil; (arch.) apprentice
tough; hard; determined; strong-minded; strong (e.g. sunlight, alcohol); severe
nonchalant air; unruffled air
concealment; hiding; ambush; incubation; latency; dormancy
high; tall; expensive; high-priced; high (level); above average (in degree, quality, etc.)
that gentleman; that lady; he; she
conclusion; decision; judgement; affirmative
expressly; especially; specially; intentionally; deliberately; on purpose
to use (a tool, method, etc.); to make use of; to use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.); to employ; to use (time, money, etc.); to spend
quiet; still; surreptitious
to be to the point; to be pertinent
to taste; to savor; to appreciate; to enjoy; to experience; to go through
from the beginning; without hesitation; entirely; completely; head-on; head-first
to drive away; to clear; to scatter; to disperse
another time; again; over again; formally; especially; intentionally
goal; target; aim; mark; sign; landmark
to lose sight of; to miss
to close one's eyes partly; to squint; to smile with one's whole face; to smile sweetly (at); to look fondly (at)
to talk about; to speak of; to recite; to chant; to indicate; to show
whispering into a person's ear
to accompany; to follow; to keep up with
to turn (one's face) away; to avert (one's eyes)