independent (esp. in politics); non-partisan
counter; window; teller window; contact person; point of contact
but; however; (and) yet; nevertheless; still; for all that
office work; clerical work; administration; business; affairs
groundwork; foundation; inclination; aptitude; undercoat; first coat
to swell; to expand; to inflate; to bulge
failure; collapse; breakdown; (arch.) tear (in clothing, etc.); (arch.) rip; (arch.) split
trouble; hardship; difficulty; anxiety; worry; concern
engine; agency; organisation; system; facility
(state) apparatus authorized to use violence (e.g. military, police); instrument of violence
banter; raillery; ridicule; teasing; making fun of
founding member (of a music group, etc.); initial member
transformation; abnormality; sexual perversion; pervert; metamorphosis; transformation
narrow-minded; obstinate; stubborn; perverse; unreasonable; warped
calculation; computation; reckoning; consideration; calculation; estimation
early days; early years; early stages; initial stages; beginning
kernel; core; nucleus; center; centre
outside (e.g. of a building); exterior; outside (of a group, company, etc.); outside world
disapproval; disagreement; no; the noes; not ...; dis-
relation; connection; affinity
to care for someone; to look after someone
principal occupation; main job; professional; an expert; I (of a government official, etc.); me
business; work; operations; service; duties
labour shortage; labor shortage; shortage of workers; shortage of hands
to miss a chance; to miss an opportunity
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
expansion; extension; magnification; enlargement; escalation; spread
ground; crust (earth); foundation (building, etc.); base; constituency; power base
this point; now; this late in the game
transition; changeover; switchover; transfer (of powers, weight, etc.); shift (e.g. of centre of gravity)
topic of discussion; agenda
the problem (at issue); the point at issue; problematic issue; problem
core member; hardcore member
(necessary) personnel; required person
to death (bored, scared, etc.); to distraction; like crazy; like mad; so much; dying (e.g. for a drink)
higher education; tertiary education
management of an organization; organizational management; organizational operation
sweet-smelling; fragrant; aromatic; good (reputation, condition, results, etc.); favorable
education; schooling; training; culture; cultivation; education
yo!; hello there!; wow!; oh!; yah! (yell)
to lay bare; to expose; to reveal
visiting a shrine or temple to give thanks; settling scores
to accept someone's challenge; to take up the gauntlet
two guilty parties tried and punished together
riot; rebellion; (media) uproar; brouhaha; feud; tussle