first meeting; first interview with
characteristic (of); peculiar (to)
heavy (feeling, etc.); gloomy (weather, etc.); oppressive (atmosphere, etc.); stifling; strained
(outward) appearance; (proper) format (e.g. of an essay); form; appearances; decency; lip-service
to talk; to chat; to chatter
something; some; somehow; for some reason; (so) what (are you trying to say)?; what (do you mean)?
to break; to smash; to defeat; to destroy; to eliminate
glass (drinking vessel); tumbler; cups (suit)
keeping oneself awake; fighting off drowsiness; method for keeping oneself awake
(plain) hot water; boiled water
to be saved; to be rescued; to escape harm; to be spared damage; to be helped; to be saved trouble
to start the debate; to get the ball rolling; to fire the first shot; to start a conversation
to be softened; to calm down
case; occasion; situation; circumstances
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
chance; opportunity; occasion
good deed; good conduct; benevolence
in one go; in one gulp; in one breath; suddenly; all of a sudden; all at once
to open up (to someone); to become unreserved; to lower one's guard; to become friendly (with); to feel at ease; to take a relaxed attitude (to)
cough cough; with a (wet) cough; violently (coughing)
to choke; to be choked by; to be stifled by
to spout out; to spurt out; to sprout; to bud; to burst into laughter; to blow (smoke, etc.)
unexpected; unforeseen; inconceivable
to be crushed; to be squashed; to go bankrupt; to go under; to be ruined (of a plan); to be cancelled; to be lost (of one's voice, eyesight, sense of smell, etc.)
peace of mind; relief; (sense of) security; safety; assurance; confidence
to do ... incessantly; to do ... hard; (arch.) to happen repeatedly; (arch.) to happen over and over again
temptation; allurement; lure; enticement; seduction
skillful words; deceitful words; glibness
to guide; to lead; to show the way; to derive; to deduce
to be turned inside out; to betray; to double-cross; to break into falsetto; to crack into falsetto
meek; gentle; modest; praiseworthy; admirable
it cannot be helped; there's nothing for it; it's no use fighting back; it's hopeless; there is no way out of it
to tighten; to fasten tight; to constrict; to control strictly; to put pressure on; to squeeze (e.g. an economy)
to be surprised; to be taken aback; to be amazed; to be frightened; to be startled; to be alarmed
oh, OK; oh, I see; oh, yeah?; hmm
clumsy (work); awkward; poorly made; ugly (of a person); unattractive; plain
strap (for carrying something); strap (on a dress, bra, etc.)
rare; uncommon; unusual; rare; lightly cooked
serious look (on one's face); straight face
period; epoch; the times; those days; oldness; ancientness