putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the means for the end; getting one's priorities backwards
strenuous efforts; exerting oneself; stirring oneself up; splurge; spending extravagantly (on); treating oneself (to)
to be thirsty; to feel thirsty; to thirst for; to crave
to hit; to strike; to strike (noon, etc.); to sound (cymbals, etc.); to beat (rhythmically, e.g. pulse, waves, etc.); to move; to impress
to summon courage; to be brave
with trouble; at great pains; rare; valuable; kind; generous
just (now); quite (near); unintentionally; subconsciously
endurance; patience; perseverance; self-control; self-restraint
to decide; to determine; to resolve; to break and overflow (e.g. levee); to collapse; to give way
long (distance, length); long (time); protracted; prolonged
to mix (with); to be mixed (together); to be mingled
selling off; disposal by sale; sale
(picture) frame; framed picture; amount (esp. of money); sum
just (now, at the moment, etc.); just as; in the act of; as soon as; at the moment that
to freeze (to something); to be frozen (to); to freeze hard; to freeze completely
certain; sure; definite; reliable; sound; solid
sure; no mistaking it; for certain; without doubt
getting mixed up in; getting embroiled in; involvement; entanglement; by-blow
abundant; plentiful; rich; wealthy; open (mind); relaxed
same; similar; (just) like; equal
with a feeling of relief; with a sigh of relief; deeply (sigh)
comprehensive; composite; all-round; all-embracing; general; overall
plus; addition; positive (number); plus sign; positive symbol; advantage; plus
dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
murder; killing; murderer
occasion; time; circumstances; (in) case (of); when
relief; reassurance; recognition of right to land ownership (by the shogunate, a feudal lord, etc.); (arch.) living safely surrounded by walls
dark; gloomy; depressed; dispirited; dark (in colour); dull; ill-boding
to drink; to swallow; to smoke (tobacco); to swallow up; to engulf; to suppress (one's anger, bitter feelings, etc.); to keep down
to make noise; to make racket; to rustle; to swoosh; to make merry; to clamor; to clamour
main street; avenue; boulevard
on the way home from work
to be in confusion or commotion; to be in a turmoil; to be crowded or jammed with people
alone; by oneself; on one's own
lonely (e.g. person, feeling); lonesome; desolate; deserted; sad; lacking
why; how; for what reason
solitude; loneliness; isolation
flow (of a fluid or gas); stream; flow (of people, things); passage (of time); course (of events); (step-by-step) procedure; group of people who remain together after the end of an event
crescent moon; young moon
to look up at; to raise one's eyes; to look up to; to admire; to respect
whereabouts; place; location; place where one belongs; where one fits in; place where one can be oneself