until something reaches the very limit; until the very last minute; up to the breaking point
word game; wordplay; playing with words
to grip; to grasp; to squeeze
to disappear; to vanish into thin air
retro; nostalgic; old-fashioned
shadow; shade; shading; nuance; shades of meaning; subtleties
appearance; shape; form; atmosphere; look; feel
to narrowly escape (e.g. death); to hang onto (life); (arch.) to ascertain; (arch.) to make definite
desire; wish; request; entreaty; prayer; (written) application
to continue to hold; to hold on to (for a long period); to maintain; to keep
reaffirmation; reconfirmation; revalidation
time after time; countless times; many a time; dozens of times
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears
as much as possible; as far as possible; whenever possible; if (at all) possible
contradiction; inconsistency
mind; spirit; attitude; mentality; spirit (of a matter); essence
cooperation; mutual aid (help)
freely; impudently; brazenly; shamelessly; however one wishes
to choke up; to be speechless; to hold one's tongue
that's true; of course; obviously
long ago; a long time ago; already
plan; scheme; plot; design; project; intention
counter; window; teller window; contact person; point of contact
person in charge (including a supervisory role for other staff); person responsible for ...; responsible party; supervisor; manager
to wrinkle up (one's eyebrows, one's nose); to furrow; to crimple
showing no signs of; there being no hint of; (arch.) unthinkable
rough; careless; slovenly; slipshod; rude; impolite
encouragement; spurring (on); cheering (on)
weekday; ordinary days (i.e. non-holiday); kanji radical 73
station square; station plaza
to crunch; to masticate; to simplify; to explain plainly
technical (e.g. discussion); exclusive; professional