competitive bidding (esp. for government contracts)
a long time (since the last time); first in a long time; it's been a long time; long time no see
being in charge (of an area of responsibility); being responsible (for a work role, etc.)
to associate with; to keep company with; to go out with; to go along with; to follow someone's lead; to accompany someone
so much; so often; oh, yes!; that's it; that's right; quite
prosperity; flourishing; thriving
funny; amusing; strange; odd; wrong; unsuitable
gold (metal); gold (color); gold (medal); first place (prize); something of great value; something golden (e.g. silence); money
house of parliament (congress, diet, etc.); graduate school; postgraduate school; institution (often medical); institutional building; sub-temple; minor temple building
monopoly; monopolization; exclusivity; hogging; keeping to oneself
expressly; especially; specially; intentionally; deliberately; on purpose
to blow (on); to breathe (on); to pick (a fight); to provoke; to exaggerate; to ask (an unreasonable price)
certain; sure; no doubt; reliable; dependable
to interrupt; to obstruct (a view, someone's way, etc.); to block (light, wind, etc.); to intercept; to cut off
astonished; shocked; amazed; astounded; aghast
space; room; unused land; room (for reconsideration, doubt, etc.); leeway; margin
single; simple; sole; individual; unitary
funny; amusing; strange; odd; wrong; unsuitable
along; parallel to; in accordance with
natural; right; proper; naturally; as a matter of course; rightly
nonchalantly; calmly; as if nothing happened
haughty; arrogant; insolent; proud; overbearing
manner of speaking; verbal argument; objection; protesting a decision (esp. that of a sumo referee); rumor; rumour
before one's eyes; in front of one; under one's nose; immediate; imminent; around the corner
to be harboured (of negative feelings or thoughts); to be rooted in one's mind; to coil; to curl around; to become tangled (e.g. of roots)
dangerous; perilous; threatening; stern (expression); hostile (attitude); sharp
just managing; with great difficulty
to meddle (in someone's affairs); to poke one's nose into; to interfere; to make a pass (at someone); to hit on
first come, first served; the early bird catches the worm
(real) ability; true strength; merit; arms; force
victory or defeat; match; contest; game
I've heard that ...; rumour has it that ...; it appears as if ...
lukewarm; tepid; half-hearted; vague; lenient; mild
way (of doing); manner; method; means
to descend; to go down; to be handed down (of an order, judgment, etc.); to pass (of time); to surrender; to capitulate; to be less than
island country mentality; insular spirit; insularism; insularity
show (of power, ability, etc.); exhibition; demonstration; display; manifestation
proper; reasonable; right; appropriate
smiling; beaming; radiant; bright; cheerful
open; unconcealed; undisguised; broad; lewd; indecent
to be mixed; to be blended with; to be combined; to associate with; to mingle with; to interest
rather than; more ... than ...