strict observance; rigid adherence; scrupulous compliance
setting off (on a trip); departure
July; seventh month of the lunar calendar
ceremony held at the end of a school term; end-of-term ceremony
seemingly good; (of) good appearance; looking good
inner thoughts; real intention; at heart; deep down; inner center (centre)
(sudden) change; reversal; turn-around; coming from behind (baseball)
behind closed doors; behind-the-scenes; (under the veil of) secrecy
to go ahead; to proceed; to carry on
to be congenial; to agree with one; to be in one's nature
to depend (on the situation); to be handled case by case
to walk behind someone; to follow in someone's footsteps
call; visit; inquiry; enquiry; question
worldly wise; sophisticated; street smart; knowledge of the world (acquired in the school of hard knocks); toughness
closeted maiden; carefully-raised girl from a well-to-do family
to read the situation; to sense the mood
nature; natural constitution; innate disposition
hiding at all costs; desperate cover-up; doing one's best to keep (something) secret
travel planning; travel plans
bad; wrong; evil; no good; wicked; reprehensible
truth; reality; sincerity; honesty; content; substance
to roll in; to tumble into; to visit (esp. to stay overnight as an unwanted guest); to fall in one's way; to fall into one's lap
through; throughout; in the course of; all over or throughout (e.g. a place)
incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; I don't get it; I'm confused; I'm lost
with all one's strength; with might and main; as hard as one can
dead language; extinct language; obsolete word; word that has become passé
invisibly; secretly; privately
human relations; personal relationships
leaping; activity; leapfrog (over a problem); making a leap (e.g. in logic); making great strides; making rapid progress
wrong; groundless; different; separate; unexpected; surprising
apprehensions; misgivings; uneasiness; anxiety; fear
(arch.) gourd; (arch.) calabash; (arch.) bottle gourd; dried gourd, used as flask
how can (one) do something
ogre; demon; spirit of a deceased person; ogre-like person (i.e. fierce, relentless, merciless, etc.); it (in a game of tag, hide-and-seek, etc.); Chinese "ghost" constellation (one of the 28 mansions); very
to roughen (e.g. one's attitude); to raise (one's voice)
immediately; instantly; with nary a pause; without a moment's delay