nothing but (this); no more than (this); none other than
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum
used to indicate respect for the listener (or reader)
baton (of command); order; command; direction
perquisite; perk; side benefit; emoluments
to allow oneself to ...; to take the liberty of ...; it is presumed that; (I, we) presume that; on one's own accord; by one's arbitrary decision
companion; follower; attendant; retinue
to sit down; to take a seat
preface; introduction; preamble
call; visit; inquiry; enquiry; question
bursting; rupture; explosion; breakdown (of talks, negotiations, etc.); breaking off
tightrope walking; high-wire act; funambulism; treading a tightrope; walking on thin ice; pulling a risky balancing act
lakeside; lakeshore; lakefront
hazy; misty; foggy; hazy feeling; uncertain feeling; feeling gloomy
beyond this point; ahead; from now on; after this; in the future
daughter of a person of high rank (esp. eldest daughter)
setback; failure (e.g. plans, business); frustration; discouragement
to break; to break down; to be crazy; to be nuts; to be infatuated (with); to be crazy (about)
care; looking after; repair; (police) raid; crackdown
shin guards; shin pads; greaves; leggings
plain; unaffected; natural; unpretentious; frank; candid
commonplace (of people or animals); ordinary; typical; ubiquitous; run-of-the-mill; found around every corner
to stop (doing); to cease; to desist; to drop; to lay off; to give up
dying breath; dying whisper; being at death's door
to lead into; to draw into
recognition; acquaintance
first meeting; first interview with
to get to the main subject; to move on to the main topic; to get down to business
to prove successful; to take hold; to amount to something
unbelievable; incredible; implausible
not the time for; not the place for; far from; far more than; nowhere near just; well beyond
rather; sooner; preferably
to be clear (of a sight, sound, colour, etc.); to be bright; to be clear-headed; to be alert; to look upbeat; to be perky; to master (a skill)
near; close; beside; attendant; retainer; vassal
your body; your health; yourself; you
trouble; troubles; worry; distress; sorrows; anguish
split; division; break up