it was, wasn't it?; must have been; I think (it was); how might it have been?
demolition; taking down; dissolution (of an organization, company, etc.); breaking up; dissection (of a body); dismemberment
consideration; examination; investigation; study; scrutiny; discussion
attitude; manner; behaviour; attitude (towards an issue, etc.); position; stance
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
negotiations; discussions; connection
ticket; token; label; tag; sign; card; playing card
to start to say; to attempt to say; to be about to say; to speak to; to address
section chief; laboratory manager; office head; room monitor
person in charge (including a supervisory role for other staff); person responsible for ...; responsible party; supervisor; manager
useless; no future in it; doesn't make sense; having no point
threat; bird-scaring device (scarecrow, gun, etc.)
being lost for words; becoming speechless; jueju (Chinese quatrain with lines of either five or seven syllables)
to hold back (e.g. emotions); to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people); to get the better of; to control; to command
absurd; unreasonable; excessive; very; extremely; excessively
conference; consultation; discussion; negotiation
tool; means; ingredients (added to soup, rice, etc.); counter for sets of armor, utensils, furniture, etc.
reaffirmation; reconfirmation; revalidation
disposal; throwing away; dealing with (a problem); measure; punishment; penalty
prospects of victory; chances of success
to follow; to come along with one; to accompany
stubborn; dogged; persistent; tough; sturdy; hardy
danger; peril; hazard; risk
passage; pathway; roadway; avenue; aisle
border; boundary; turning point; watershed; area; region
insect; bug; worm; roundworm; one's emotions; one's feelings; nervousness
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
reflection; reverberation; reflex; reflexes
trampling down; overrunning; infringement; violation
brutal; cruel; merciless; ruthless; cold-blooded
equality; impartiality; evenness
to tease; to make fun of; to ridicule; to mock; to play with (e.g. a toy); to fiddle with
to make sure of; to ascertain; to confirm; to grasp
inconvenience; inexpediency; unhandiness
conclusive evidence; positive proof; definite proof; confirmation
to lie; to cheat; to pretend; to trick; to deceive
to be in danger of; to be liable to
irritating; irritated; frustrating; vexing; (feeling things are) not quick enough; (feeling) too slow-going
discrimination; discernment; identification
symbol; code; sign; notation