beyond expectations; beyond what one expected; not foreseen; exceeding assumptions
to bend backwards; to bend oneself back; to be taken aback
at last; finally; barely; narrowly; just
corridor; hallway; passageway
undesirable friend; bad company; bad companion; partner-in-crime (i.e. good friend); close friend; buddy
two-top (soccer formation); formation with two forwards at the front line
early days; early years; early stages; initial stages; beginning
unusual event; strange occurrence; strange phenomenon; something abnormal; change (for the worse); accident
stronghold; inner citadel; base; headquarters
just before; just prior to; right in front of; just in front of
once; one time; temporarily; for a moment; one degree; one tone
visit (from someone); call
to fall fast asleep; to be confined to one's bed; to be laid up
disappearance; running away; going missing; absconding
fellow; mutual; companion; comrade
dispute; conflict; trouble; unrest; strife
commencing with; including
disturbance; riot; mayhem
to become public; to become known; to come out in the open; to be formal; to be official
training; practice; discipline; ascetic practices
(in) the middle of; (in) the midst of; (in) the course of; (at) the height of
accident; incident; trouble; circumstances; reasons
matter (to attend to); business; affair; use; need
while being out of the office or away from home
apt to (do); liable to; predominantly; mostly; ... reaps the rewards; ... takes the prize
tolerable; passable; adequate; so-so
but then; although; though; reasonable; natural; just
script; screenplay; scenario
beforehand; in advance; ahead of time; previously
it's probably so; it stands to reason
consent; agreement; acceptance; understanding; satisfaction (e.g. with an explanation); being convinced
after (practically) no time; immediately after; just; having no time to
leaving; quitting; retiring
(approximate) time; around; suitable time (or condition); time of year; season
abrupt; sudden; unexpected
quarrel; fight; trouble; dispute; friction; discord