stealing a march on; getting a head start; secretly acting before others; solo raid on an enemy's camp (for glory)
wrapping; lapping (i.e. grinding, polishing)
very popular; highly favoured
head (of a line, group, etc.); front; lead; forefront; vanguard
heartwarming; pleasant; charming; amusing
still; even now; to this day
stiffening; rigidity; rigor; stiffness; ossification; petrification
seven; seven years of age; four o'clock (old time system)
casual; unconcerned; nonchalant; ordinary; normal; regular
to knock (someone) down; to floor; to beat up; to deal a devastating blow (from which one cannot recover); to devastate (emotionally); to crush
investigation (e.g. into someone's guilt); questioning; pressing; catching up; overtaking
beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning; initially
empty; void; vain; fruitless; lifeless
taking (a suspect to the police); dragging (someone) away
to be fickle; to be frivolous; to be flippant; to be flighty; to be giddy; to be restless
average (normal, ordinary) year; every year; annually
with a complacent smile; with a smile of satisfaction
to stop (doing); to cease; to desist; to drop; to lay off; to give up
isn't it?; don't you think?; right?; surely; come on
tree trunk; bole; backbone; base; foundation
to envy; to be envious of; to be jealous of
to lend an ear (to); to hear out; to listen to
set meal; special (of the day)
to emit; to spout; to spurt; to boil over
to talk back; to answer back; to retort; to say over; to repeat (what one has said)
two-digit number; "tens" column; two digits; double figures
to wager; to bet; to risk; to stake; to gamble
bet; wager; stake; gamble
to pretend; to act (as if)
grand; magnificent; lavish; forceful; powerful; vigorous
to stick out one's tongue; to ridicule someone (behind their back); to laugh at someone
extramarital sex; affair; fooling around; infidelity; wantonness; unfaithfulness
heartlessness; hardness of heart; coldheartedness; insentient; inanimate
lunch; noon; midday; daytime; waking up; getting up
other intention; hidden purpose; ulterior motive; ill will; malice
ill will; malice; evil intent