key to a solution; first step toward a solution; thread to unravel a mystery
to address (someone) without using a suffix such as "-san" or "-chan"; to refer to (someone) without a title suffix
to avoid meeting someone's gaze; to not look someone in the eyes
prickling; stinging; biting; tale-telling; tattling
former job; former position
harmonica; mouth organ; cunnilingus; hypodermic syringe
to sniff out; to get wind of
plain; unaffected; natural; unpretentious; frank; candid
going into battle; departure for the front
to yearn for; to pine; to be deeply in love with
isolation; being alone; being friendless
lock; padlock; tablet; lozenge; pill
to look old; to become musty; to wear out
to raise (esp. overhead); to brandish (e.g. sword); to flourish; to wield (e.g. power, authority); to proclaim one's principles
to be pleased; to gloat; to glow with self-satisfaction
to be in the news; to be talked about; to become a popular topic of conversation; to become the talk of the town; to become topical
to make do errands; to set to scutwork
abandonment; giving up; bargain sale; selling off cheaply; edge (e.g. of an architectural member); boundary
to lift; to turn over; to fold over
head start; initiative; preemption
to hold aloft (e.g. a sword); to brandish
footwork (in martial arts, sports, etc.)
one's last journey; the journey to the other world; death
drip; fall drop-by-drop; suddenly (of drops of water)
pursuer; pursuing party; posse
with a clash; with a thud; unexpectedly (meeting someone); suddenly (ending); abruptly (coming to a halt)
positioning; getting a position; taking a position
to jump upon (a moving object)