clue; lead; key; handhold; hold
parched; dried-up; empty; hollow; rattling; clattering
to dig out; to hollow out; to cut into
to set one's hand to; to start work on; to embezzle; to use (money obtained in illegal fashion); to have sexual relations; to have an affair
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
if I had to say; if pressed (to answer); if I must choose; if I had to choose
cruel; heartless; violent; intense; very bad; terrible
mere shadow of one's former self; having no trace left (of former glories, talent, looks, etc.); unrecognizable (as the person one used to be); unrecognisable
to break into fragments; to go to pieces
to follow; to come along (with); to accompany; to come with (something); to follow as a result (of); to be incidental (to)
to hang over; to shroud; to enshroud; to envelop; to screen
to shake one's head (in denial)
to be overturned; to be reversed; to turn over; to fall down; to tumble down; to topple over
to kick; to refuse; to reject; to stamp (on the ground); to firmly press one's feet (against something)
writing; composition; essay; sentence
to bend; to curve; to turn; to be awry; to be askew
(coil) spring; spring (season); light overcoat (worn in spring and autumn); topcoat
with a creak; with a squeak; (packing) tightly; with a squeeze; relentlessly (criticize, complain, etc.); severely
-less; lacking; non-existing
around the world; throughout the world
query; interrogation; enquiry; question; inquiry
seriousness; earnestness; truth; sanctity
different person; another person; someone else; changed man
to take (someone to a place); to take (someone) with one; to take along; to lead away
to be needed; to be necessary; to be required; to be wanted; to need; to want
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
immediately; instantly; with nary a pause; without a moment's delay
unfortunately; sorry, but ...
choices; alternatives; options
pause (in speech, writing, etc.); punctuation; break; end; (place to) stop
somehow; for some reason (or other); without knowing why
unattractive; ugly; unstylish; uncool
to ask a question; to begin to ask a question
alone; by oneself; on one's own
to burn; to roast; to broil; to heat; to heat up; to make (charcoal, pottery, bricks, etc.); to bake
care; looking after; trouble; bother; good offices; recommendation
to trample down; to crush underfoot; to kick down; to avoid paying (e.g. a debt); to jump (a bill); to bilk