friendship; (on) familiar terms; intimacy; kindness; goodwill
after a short while; not long after; soon; before long; shortly thereafter
some; few; a number of; somewhat; to a certain extent; a bit
to be on the verge; to be on the brink; to get close
surprisingly; astonishingly; amazingly; alarmingly
assembling (in full force); muster; lining up; gathering; getting together
chief seat; seat of honor; seat of honour; head of the table
leaving (e.g. a courtroom, workplace); exiting; withdrawal (e.g. from a superior's presence)
lowest seat; foot of the table; seat furthest from the seat of honour; lowest rank; bottom (e.g. of the class)
executives; top management; governing body
emergency meeting; urgent meeting; emergency session; emergency conference
to act first; to act precipitously; to be rash; to get ahead of oneself; to jump the gun
to become hoarse; to become husky
senior; elder; person older than oneself
important post; important office; key position
successive jobs; consecutive jobs
collapse; crumbling; breaking down; (radioactive) decay; disintegration
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
to know; to be aware (of); to be acquainted (with); to think; to consider; to believe
hard to say; inexpressible; hesitant to say; embarrassing; delicate
depends entirely on; depends above all on
tapestry; wall hanging; banner
to weave a pattern; to begin to weave
rules are rules; a rule is a rule
to lend; to loan; to let out on hire
without (doing); instead of; if (it) isn't done; if (one) doesn't do ...; if not ...; unless ...
pretending to be kind; self-aggrandizement under pretense of aiding another (aggrandisement, pretence)
to knead; to thicken into a paste (stirring over a flame); to polish (a plan, etc.); to refine; to train; to drill; to gloss (silk)
important task; important duty; important mission; heavy responsibility
diplomatic negotiations; negotiations through diplomatic channels
entrusting (everything to); leaving (a matter) entirely with
hot-blooded; hot-headed; temperamental; impulsive
ambassador plenipotentiary
grey moustache; gray mustache; white beard
to raise one's hand; to surrender; to raise one's hand to someone (as a threat to strike); to become better (at something); to improve; to throw one's hat in the ring
to head out (for); to head (to); to go (to); to leave (for)
slim; slender; lithe; smoothly; without resistance; without trouble