common occurrence; everyday occurrence; not an uncommon case; normal thing; everyday affair
hardly any; almost nonexistent; very little
to boast of; to be proud of; to take pride in
to earn (income); to make (money); to score (points, victory); to gain (time); to work hard (at one's job); to labor
expressly; especially; specially; intentionally; deliberately; on purpose
absorption; suction; attraction
that is so; that is right; it looks to me; people say that; it is said that; I hear that
once; for a short time; briefly; (arch.) one morning
to get involved (with); to begin (with); to have a hand (in)
to grow up; to become an adult; to become big; to grow in size
stone (of a fruit); pit; core (of an organization, team, etc.); nucleus; nuclear weapons; nucleus (of an atom); nucleus (of a cell)
origin; source; basis; base; cause; (raw) material; ingredient
scabbard; sheath; cap (on a brush, pen, etc.); case; margin (between two prices); spread
one's circumstances; environment; situation (in life)
snowballing (phenomenon, effect)
the mere shadow of one's former self; the ruin of what one once was
situation; (present) state of affairs; circumstances
consists of; comprises; is made up of
almost; nearly; hardly; barely; large majority; large proportion
one-sided; unilateral; arbitrary
force; unit; corps; squad; troops; party
crime syndicate; criminal syndicate
several; a few; number; quantity; counting; calculation; number
crossing swords; competing against; contending with; fighting against
to notice; to realize; to realise; to regain consciousness; to come to (one's senses); to come round
to set about in earnest; to make a strenuous effort; to put one's back into (doing)
organization; organisation; forming
which; where; all; both; anyway; anyhow
to smash; to crush; to shut down; to put out of business; to wreck; to break; to butcher
sleek; smooth; thin (of a liquid); without hesitation or delay
for a short while; for a brief period; soon; in a short while
to twinkle (e.g. stars); to flicker; to waver; to blink (one's eyes); to wink; to bat
bitter smile; wry smile; forced smile; strained laugh
to tell; to inform; to announce; to indicate; to signal; to mark
hey; listen; look here; I say
least; lowest; worst; awful; horrible; at the very least
to get used to; to grow accustomed to; to become skilled in; to become experienced at; to become tame; to become domesticated
accompanying (someone); going with; travelling together; the same bank; the said bank
to move; to stir; to operate; to run; to make a move; to take action; to be touched