very interesting; of great interest
to hesitate to say; to mumble; to hem and haw; to falter
palm (of one's hand); skill; (in one's) grip; (under one's) control; one's (concealed) intentions; one's cards
to pass (the night); to spend; to reveal; to divulge; to prove; to verify
to look up (at); to look up to; to respect; to ask for (e.g. guidance); to seek; to depend on
something one finds questionable; something one finds fault with
to disclose; to divulge; to expose; to open (a grave); to dig out
difficult to ...; hard to ...
by all means; at any cost; whether (one is) willing or not; willingly or unwillingly; on no account; by no means
difficult to ...; hard to ...
the same generation; coeval
good thing; strong point; good family; prestigious school; the right moment; utter
to extend; to stretch out; to attend; to participate in; to enrol; to enroll
unsatisfying; disappointing; abrupt; not enough; too quick; too short
boorish; unsophisticated; unrefined; uncouth; tasteless; insensitive
main question; real issue at hand
to make fun of; to look down on; to make light of
to handle (men); to master (a tool); to manage; to acquire a command of (a language)
exactly as stated; verbatim
having no money; lack of money
to receive favor (favour); to be much obliged to someone; to be indebted
that kind of; of the sort; of the kind; such
shopping; purchased goods
thickheaded; insensitive; dull; thick-skinned
thereabouts; vicinity; that area; that situation; those circumstances
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); still; all the same; even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
to choose one's words (with care); to be careful with one's words
existence or nonexistence; presence or absence; consent or refusal; yes or no
to puzzle over; to think deeply about; to rack one's brains over (wrack)
most likely contender; prime candidate; top prospect; leading candidate
to apply (a rule); to be applicable; to come under (a category); to fulfill; to hold true
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to deep-fry
number of persons; personnel
introduction; bringing in; leading in; installation
forktail bullhead (species of catfish, Pelteobagrus nudiceps)
investigation; examination; inquiry; enquiry; survey
telephone call; telephone (device)
bewilderment; perplexity; embarrassment; discomfiture; bafflement
to telephone; to make a phone call