fork; junction; parting of the ways; turning point
mean; contemptible; despicable; dirty; foul; cowardly
self-satisfaction; (self-)complacency; smugness
if anything; conversely; putting it the other way around; coming at it from the opposite angle
could result in (something undesirable); might end up (doing, happening); run the risk of
pathological; morbid; unhealthy; diseased; unwholesome; abnormal
big-shot; influential person; happy face; smiling face; sympathetic attitude; getting along with
to suck up; to pump up; to siphon off (profits, etc.); to exploit; to take up others' opinions, hopes, etc.
to grant (request, wish); to answer (prayer); to make come true (e.g. a dream); to realize; to fulfill
(slowly and) carefully; without haste; thoroughly; deliberately; closely; meticulously
tone (of argument); tenor; drift
unprepared; careless; imprudent; indiscreet
mediation; good offices; influential person; person of influence; (arch.) eloquence; (arch.) eloquent person
free; unfettered; according to one's own whims; doing as one likes
trend; tendency; movement; attitude
deviation; inclination; offset; polarization; polarisation
going around in circles; circling a temple; roll-call vote
source of information; intelligence source; message source
having good knowledge of a certain matter; person who has good knowledge of a certain matter; informed source
great (quantity, amount, etc.); huge; enormous; serious
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
being very popular; being in great demand
old friend; old acquaintance
getting rich quick; making a killing; making a fortune at a single stroke
retrogression; reversal; relapse; doubling back; backtracking
negligent; neglectful; careless; remiss
shifting the responsibility (for something) on to (someone); passing the buck
making a person, pet, etc. wait (before being permitted to do something); postponement; putting on hold
to proceed with; to continue with; to move on; to go forward; to pursue
disorder; confusion; clutter; mess; muddle; disarray
simple; simplified; easy; plain
unevenness (e.g. in quality); inconstancy; variation; dispersion; scatter; spread
stolen goods; stolen article; loot; spoils
invisibly; secretly; privately
unpacking (esp. after moving house)
no concern of mine; nothing to do with me