curtain raising; starting (e.g. play, concert)
itemization (of expenses); the items; breakdown; classification
to change (with the passage of time); to fade; to wane; to decline
harsh (criticism, treatment, etc.); severe; hard; strict
compilation; editing; recording
delivery; transfer; hand-over
guest; visitor; visitor's arrival
regular customer; general audience; general public
defense; defence; protection; safeguard
exposure by washing away; washing out; exposed aggregate (finish); exposed aggregate concrete; revealing the grain of cedar boards by washing and scrubbing; finding out (after an extensive search or investigation)
countermeasure; counter-measure
conference; consultation; discussion; negotiation
facilitator; programme director; steering committee (chair)
shrewdness; sharpness; astuteness; acumen; tact
gossipy; abusive; critical; jabbering
next term; next period; next version; next release
to fall behind; to lag behind; to lose (race, contest)
sole; single; solo; independence; singleness; singularity
strong arm; stout arm; ability to carry out a difficult job; capable person
anyone can see that; it's obvious that
rampaging; raging violently; going berserk
one night; all night; overnight; one evening
cordial welcome; hearty welcome; kind treatment; hospitality
zeal; enthusiasm; ardor; ardour
worthy of; worth doing; worth having
to backfire; to produce a result opposite to what was expected or intended
on the contrary; rather; all the more; instead
study; library; bookstore; bookshop; publishing company
to try to (do); to want to; to be about to (do, happen)
loan; lending; favor; favour; creditor; method of lending
estimate (of costs); budget
calculator (electronic); pocket calculator
needle (compass, gauge, etc.); hand (clock); indicator; guiding principle; guideline; guide
people; citizens; subjects; folk
hill; height; knoll; rising ground
big hit; big prize; bumper crop; striking it rich; right on the mark; bonanza
rear gate (esp. of castle); back entrance; one who arrests; force attacking the rear of a castle; (opponent's) weak point