laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
very; greatly; immense; enormous; serious; grave
transition; changeover; switchover; transfer (of powers, weight, etc.); shift (e.g. of centre of gravity)
on the occasion of; at the time of
person in the same line of business; people in the same trade; the trade; the profession
regarding; in; to; towards; with regards to
price; cost; charge; price (of achieving something); cost; sacrifice
this is why; that is the reason why; it is the case that; so; thus; with that
to give a little chuckle; to let out a giggle
to follow; to come along (with); to accompany; to come with (something); to follow as a result (of); to be incidental (to)
to shake one's head (in disagreement); to disagree; to refuse; to say no; to turn down (a request)
somehow; for some reason (or other); without knowing why
to arrive at; to reach; to sit on; to sit at (e.g. the table)
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still
entrance; front door; entryway; entranceway; entry hall; vestibule
(place) near by; (place) close by; (place) right next to; as soon as; right after
to go up the stairs; to climb the stairs
shy; diffident; retiring; reserved
bored; having nothing to do; idle
to indicate; to show; to point to
shallow; superficial; slight (wound); light (sleep); short (time); early
honorific/polite/humble prefix; honorific suffix
nominalizing suffix; pretending to ...; playing make-believe ...
system; organization; organisation; imperial command; laws; regulation
to stiffen; to become stiff; to harden
spring; springtime; New Year; prime (of life); height (of one's prosperity); adolescence
crop; crops; (agricultural) produce; farm products
three years; third school year (e.g. of high school)
one's own potential; real ability; one's own strength
restoration; recovery; rehabilitation; recovery (from an illness); recuperation; convalescence
fallow soil; idle field; set-aside; idled plot
breeding; raising; rearing; keeping
manure; fertilizer; fertiliser; compost
to scatter; to sprinkle; to distribute (flyers, etc.); to give out; to shake off (a pursuer, companion, etc.); to give the slip
irrigation channel; irrigation ditch; irrigation canal; flume
to draw water (e.g. from a river); to lead water to (e.g. a field, a pond); to supply water to; to irrigate
feces (esp. animal); excrement; dung
leavings of a meal; food scraps; leftovers; food particles (in one's teeth or mouth); bits of food
cattle (Bos taurus); cow; beef; Chinese "Ox" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)