few decades; many decades; several decades
doing whatever one pleases; selfishness; self-indulgence
ugly; unsightly; hideous; mean; repulsive; disgraceful
to disclose; to divulge; to expose; to open (a grave); to dig out
before one knows it; before one realises; without one's knowledge; without noticing
jamming a finger; stubbing a toe; spraining a finger (toe)
freezing (e.g. water); freezing (prices, wages, assets, etc.); moratorium; suspension (e.g. investment)
brittle; fragile; weak; tender-hearted; sentimental; easily moved
December; twelfth month of the lunar calendar
comic; comics; comic opera; comic; comical
sale; offering for sale; putting on sale; putting on the market; release (for sale)
staying behind; remaining; residual
to hold on to something (secret, lead in a race, etc.)
to shake; to jolt; to rock (cradle); to swing
almost every day; almost daily
opening (a door, window, etc.); leaving open; opening up (e.g. to the public); allowing (public) access
energy; vigour; vigor; liveliness; spirit; life
to split; to tear; to burst; to be separated; to be divided
almost completely empty; virtually empty; inadequately defended; undefended; unguarded
housewife; mistress (of the house); homemaker
to play dumb; to feign ignorance; to play the fool; to be in one's dotage
handbag; tote bag; carry bag; shoulder bag
to do something in readiness for; to get something (needful) done
to get in someone's pocket; to help oneself to someone's wallet; to curry favour (favor); to butter up; to get in close to one's opponent
direct transmission (of mystery, skill, secret, etc.); initiation
clear insight; resignation (to one's fate); acceptance
sudden turn; sudden change; (suddenly occurring) accident; emergency
cross; cross shape; sign of the cross
hardening; fortifying; pledge; vow; defense; defence
nursing; care; caregiving; caring
murder; homicide; manslaughter
doubt; question; uncertainty; skepticism; scepticism; suspicion
subversion (of the state)
wildly enthusiastic; crazy (about something)