packing into a box; boxing (up); thing packed in a box
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
to tease; to make fun of; to poke fun at; to make a crack about; to chaff; to kid
passion; enthusiasm; zeal
to flicker; to quiver; to waver; to sway
prosperity; flourishing; thriving
longing for others; wanting company
dull (e.g. a knife); blunt; thickheaded; obtuse; dull (sound, color, etc.); dim (light)
to fail to hear something; to miss; to act as if one didn't hear something; to let a remark slide
idle complaint; grumble; moha (ignorance, folly)
ignoring; looking the other way; passing through; going through; leaving a passing ball for a teammate (in soccer); letting the ball go past
point of tangency; point of contact; (electrical) contact; point of contact (between); connection
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
established fact; fait accompli
stealing a march on; getting a head start; secretly acting before others; solo raid on an enemy's camp (for glory)
sneakily; secretly; stealthily; on the sly
usual; normal; long (of time); old; for a long time; for a while
trade; business; commerce; occupation; calling; profession
detailed inspection; thorough examination; checking
check (pattern); plaid; check; inspection; check (mark); tick; checking (something) out
by today; before the day is over
as always; as ever; though it's always the case
exploitation; overuse; abuse
grand; magnificent; lavish; forceful; powerful; vigorous
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
only; merely; but; no more than
deterioration (in quality, performance, etc.); degradation; worsening; (visible) aging; becoming unattractive (due to aging)
careful thought; consideration; deliberation; reflection; rumination; pondering
to listen again; to ask again
smith; blacksmith; small crowbar for extracting nails; cat's paw
several times; a few times
one portion; one serving; adult; grown-up; fully fledged; established
correct answer; right solution; correct interpretation; right decision; right choice; appropriate judgement
praise; admiration; commendation; approbation; applause
to come to know; to perceive; to realize; to realise; to become aware (of)
depending on the situation; should time and circumstances permit
(art of) fencing; swordsmanship
to (hit and) crush; to smash; to squash; to defeat soundly; to crush (an opponent, hopes, etc.)
to use tact; to exercise discretion; to be tactful; to be thoughtful; to have the sense (to do); to take a hint
to choose (something) at one's discretion; to use one's discretion in choosing
cheap article; poor-quality article