background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
one day; (on) a certain day
on one occasion; once; at one point; at one time
first time; first; initial
(full-length) novel; long novel
recruitment; invitation; raising (funds, donations, etc.); collection; flotation (of shares, loans, etc.)
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
application; subscription; entry (competition, raffle, etc.); enlistment
almost; nearly; hardly; barely; large majority; large proportion
spasmodic; erratic; fitful; sporadic
to set one's mind on doing; to get the idea of doing; to make up one's mind
large notebook (usu. used for taking lecture notes)
to decide; to choose; to clinch (a victory); to decide (the outcome of a match); to persist in doing; to go through with; to always do
on the way; en route; in the middle of; midway; halfway
to come to a dead end; to come to a standstill; to reach a deadlock; to reach an impasse; to reach a stalemate
from now; from this moment; henceforth
various; a variety of; all sorts of; many (different)
with a burble; hollow (sounding); holey; full of holes or dents; here and there; (sound of) walking slowly
to change; to be transformed; to move to; to be different; to be uncommon
present age; present day; contemporary; modern era; modern times; contemporary era
stage (of a theatre, concert hall, etc.); stage performance; stage production; setting (of a story); scene; sphere (of activity)
holiness; sacredness; sanctity; dignity
swing; shake; appearance; behaviour; pretence; pretense; (a customer) coming to restaurant, ryokan, etc. without a reservation or introduction
tool; implement; means; furniture
store; shop; establishment; restaurant
to finish writing; to complete; to write down (e.g. a list); to write out
far away; far off; far; long ago; long before
being selected (for a prize, exhibition, etc.); being accepted; winning
failing to be elected; election defeat; losing an election; not being accepted (for a prize, exhibition, etc.); rejection; failing to win a prize
my goodness!; good lord!; holy cow!
as is; as it is; as things are; like this; this way; at this rate
deadline; closing; closing (a door, window, etc.); cofferdam
to be in time (for); to serve (suit, meet) the purpose; to be good enough; to be enough
spare time; free time; time (it takes to do something); time required; time off; leave; dismissal
performing without rehearsal; doing impromptu
without preparation; off the cuff; unreserved; without restraint; beginning; start
when it comes to ...; where ... is concerned; if it's the case that ...; if it turns out that ...; if it's true that ...
having no choice but to ...; all one can do is ...; there's nothing to do except ...; having nothing but ...; there is only ...; having only ...
good; excellent; fine; nice; pleasant; agreeable
girl; daughter; baby girl; young woman