to shorten the distance (between); to close the gap (e.g. on the leader); to get closer (e.g. to someone); to close in (on)
shortening; contraction; reduction; curtailment; abbreviation
on the way; en route; in the middle of; midway; halfway
to connect; to link together; to tie; to fasten; to maintain; to preserve; to transfer (phone call)
skillful; skilful; delicious; tasty; good (deal, idea, etc.); profitable
evasion; excuse; subterfuge; runaround
fault; weakness; flaw; crux (of a matter); difficult point; point of contention
to change; to switch; to change over (to); to renew
to bend; to curve; to bend (the truth); to falsify; to corrupt; to sully
proof; testimony; demonstration; verification; certification
tedious; boring; being fed up with
to the end; to the bitter end; to the last; after all; it must be remembered; only
(cannot) possibly; (not) by any means; (not) at all; utterly; absolutely
to loosen; to slacken; to relax (attention, efforts, etc.); to let down (one's guard); to relax (a rule); to ease (e.g. restrictions)
introduction; presentation; referral; showcase (of a product)
lunch; (Western-style) single-plate lunch set; plate lunch; launch (boat); ranch
store; shop; establishment; restaurant
to eat a mouthful; to take a bite
cooking; cookery; cuisine; dealing with (skillfully); handling (well); managing
shellfish; seashell; shell
dancing; dance; iteration mark (used to represent repetition of the previous character); Bon Festival dance; Lantern Festival dance; eating live seafood (e.g. squid, ice gobies) while it is still moving; soft spot (in the skull of an infant)
roasting; grilling; toasting; tempering (in metallurgy)
without; but if; otherwise; or else
spare (part, tire, etc.); spare (bowling); knocking down all pins on the second throw
to be relieved; to feel relieved
looking at from the corner of one's eye; sidelong glance; disregarding; ignoring; faceless ghost with an eye in its rump
to run over (with a vehicle); to knock down
to pull out; to draw out; to omit; to leave out; to do to the end; to do thoroughly; to let out (e.g. air from a tyre)
hearing (of a statement, opinion, explanation, etc.); asking; questioning (e.g. a suspect); listening (e.g. to the radio)
meal (e.g. lunch, dinner); diet
accurate; correct; precise; exact
that being the case; in that case; if that's how it's going to go
anyone can see that; it's obvious that
to disclose; to divulge; to expose; to open (a grave); to dig out
to bring up a subject; to touch on a matter
not feeling like doing ...; having no mind to ...; being in no mood for ...; having no intention of ...