class (of students); group (of people); party; lot; bunch; crime family; organized-crime syndicate
outward appearance; ostensible; public; official
to manufacture; to produce; to raise (crops); to invent; to dream up; to create
flowery words; rhetorical flourishes
to extol; to laud; to sing the praises of
to pay no attention to (while listening); to take no notice of; to ignore; to let go in one ear and out the other
half; 50%; 5 parts; 5%; equality; equal footing
somewhat; to some extent; to some degree; some; part; portion
to spare; to grudge; to regret; to lament; to be reluctant (to do); to be unwilling
to push back; to press back; to force back; to (refuse and) return (something); to give back
search (esp. for someone or something missing); manhunt; legally authorized search of a person, building, etc.
to knit one's brows (in discomfort, unease, disapproval, etc.); to raise one's eyebrows; to frown
impudent; shameless; brazen; cheeky; presumptuous
knowing only too well; being fully aware of
noble (birth); royal; august; exalted; high-born; of high rank
heartbroken thoughts; heartrending grief; overwhelming sorrow
(and) yet; but; for all that; nevertheless
labour shortage; labor shortage; shortage of workers; shortage of hands
to take an attitude; to take a stance; to commit oneself; to assume a position
from one's home; while sitting at home; without leaving one's house; without moving from one's chair; without taking a step outside
disapproval; reluctance; unwillingness
choices; alternatives; options
eccentric; oddball; character; weirdo
if only (you) have; as long as (you) have; whenever (you) have
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
haughty; arrogant; supercilious
sincere; earnest; serious
to chuckle to oneself; to gloat (over)
to stare at each other; to lock eyes (with)
neither this nor that; being at a loss; humming and hawing; shilly-shallying
argument; discussion; dispute; controversy
superiors; big shots; higher-ups; VIPs; dignitaries
practical; realistic; pragmatic
courage; bravery; valour; valor; nerve; boldness
permanent; everlasting; lasting; very long; many years of
as much as one can; as much as possible
royal castle; imperial castle
on the surface; ostensibly; superficially; apparently
soon; before long; in the near future
personal; individual; private
essence; true nature; substance; reality