to be confused; to be bewildered; to be taken aback
sweetly (smiling); broadly (grinning)
to be able to manage somehow or other
basis; grounds; base (of operations); base (of a group of stones)
but (still); and yet; nevertheless; even so; notwithstanding
to lean (on, against); to rest (against); to recline; to rely on (someone); to depend on
suffix for familiar person
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple
to hang one's head; to look down; to cast one's eyes downward
to mutter; to murmur; to grumble; to tweet; to post on Twitter
just managing; with great difficulty
release; unleashing; liberation; deallocation (of computer memory)
coughing; hacking cough; thundering; drumming
to choke; to be choked (by); to sob convulsively
splendid; nice; sufficient; satisfactory; not needing (any more of something); (already) having enough
long time; several hours; long spell
throughout; over a period of ...; over a span of ...
restriction; restraint; binding; constraint
pressure; oppression; suppression
pretending not to know; pretending not to recognize someone (recognise); feigning ignorance; playing innocent
only; merely; approximately; about; just (finished, etc.); as if to; (as though) about to
to grumble; to gripe; to complain
to see to it that ...; to make sure that ...; to try to ...; to make an effort to ...
to taper to a point; to become pointed; to be on edge; to be nervous; to be sharp (of a voice, words, etc.); to be harsh
anyhow; anyway; somehow or other; apart from ...; setting ... aside
shortage of talented people; shortfall in human resources
endorsing and questioning the preceding statement; lamenting reflections on the preceding statement
accepting an order; receiving an order; orders received; closed won
to turn; to rotate; to pass around; to send around; to move (someone or something to where its needed); to send; to turn (to a new use)
the best one can do; one's best effort; with all one's might; to the best of one's ability; as hard as possible
being in charge (of an area of responsibility); being responsible (for a work role, etc.)
even; for starters; so; therefore; judging from; based on
(not) in any way; in no way; at all; terribly; awfully; hopelessly
confidence; trust; faith; credit
quiet; silent; slow; unhurried; calm; peaceful
to turn one's head; to look over one's shoulder; to turn around; to think back (on); to reminisce; to look back (on)
since when; from when; how long
thought; imagination; mind; desire; wish; love
common; shared; to be common (to); to be shared (by); -wide
it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
entrance; entry; gate; approach; mouth
to interrupt; to obstruct (a view, someone's way, etc.); to block (light, wind, etc.); to intercept; to cut off