timid; weak-kneed; fainthearted; bearish
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
legendary beast; magical beast
old badger; veteran; oldtimer; schemer; old fox
den; haunt; hangout; nest; lair
hey!; wait a minute!; whoa!; boohoo; waaaa
there's no other way; there are no other options; there are no alternative means
true character; true heart; true spirit
to doubt; to distrust; to be suspicious of; to suspect
to keep talking; to go on and on; to talk non-stop
poison; toxicant; harm; evil influence; ill will; spite
to obtain; to come into possession of; to get hold of; to get one's hands on
statement; remark; observation; utterance; speech; proposal
to be fit (for a role); to be qualified (for); to be equal (to a task); to be able to fulfill one's duties (as)
cooperation; collaboration; help; support
sentiment; emotions; one's feelings; one's heart
leaving out; omitting; skipping; (beating) in succession; in a row
indication; denotation; designation; instructions; directions
to bring (news, knowledge, etc.); to introduce; to bring about; to cause; to produce (e.g. results)
doubt; question; uncertainty; skepticism; scepticism; suspicion
to detain; to take into custody
explanation; excuse; clarification; vindication; apology
to devote oneself; to do one thing exclusively; to make a job of; to decide to
to threaten; to menace; to frighten (into doing)
to have a go; to try and do (something); to take a chance with something
to be flabbergasted; to be dumbfounded
straying; wandering (off course)
to have a limit; to go too far (e.g. of a joke)
gentle; peaceable; amicable; without fuss; simply
requisition; requisitioning; seizure; confiscation; impounding; retaining (e.g. deposit)
citizen (of a country); citizenry; citizen (of a city); resident; bourgeoisie; middle class
statesman; administrator; politician; policymaker
another place; somewhere else; outside (one's family or group); someone else; not caring for; being indifferent to
embarrassing; embarrassed; ashamed; disgraceful; shameful
simplistic (thinking, idea, etc.); hasty
easy; simple; easygoing; lighthearted; simplistic
quickly (esp. actions); suddenly (esp. wind, rain, etc.)
to become blue; to turn green; to turn pale; to blanch (with fear)
(sound of) laughter; laughing voice
farce; charade; person who serves tea; short and humorous improvised sketch (originating from Edo-era kabuki)
end; close; finish; termination
to withdraw; to leave; to retire; to back down; to give up
joyful (news, event, etc.); joyous; delightful (e.g. result); pleasing (e.g. sight); gratifying; welcome