to set a deadline; to fix a time limit
and yet; despite this; but even so; but even then; however; nevertheless
this time; now; next time; another time; recently; lately
to approach; to draw near; to be imminent; to press (someone for something); to urge; to compel
paying for one's mistakes; getting one's just deserts; suffering the consequences (of one's own actions); reap what you sow
indicates emotion or admiration; indicates emphasis; I; me; wah!; boo!
to laugh; to smile; to sneer; to ridicule; to be dumbfounded; to be flabbergasted
funny; amusing; strange; odd; improper; unsuitable
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
reward; recompense; return; punishment; retribution
favour; favor; obligation; debt of gratitude
to reward; to recompense; to repay; to retaliate; to get revenge
last days; the end; one's fate
disastrous; tragic; miserable; wretched; pitiful; woeful
will; probably; may; I think; surely; I hope
precise; accurate; appropriate; exactly the right
pointing out; identification
to give up; to abandon (hope, plans); to resign oneself (to)
having said that; on the other hand
dead end; cul-de-sac; blind alley; end; end of the road; end point
all doors closed; blocked in every direction; cornered
well-matched (esp. of a couple); becoming; suitable
the future (usually distant); future tense; the world to come
alone; by oneself; on one's own
to make; to produce; to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol); to raise; to grow; to till
very; extremely; terrible; horrid; remarkable; extraordinary
shade; tone; tinge; hue; colour; color
be considered; be deemed; be thought to be
distinction; difference; separate; different; exception; exclusion
fighting with one's back to the wall; having burnt one's bridges; last stand; from strategy of general Han Xin in the Battle of Jingxing
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
minimum; (very) least; at least some (comfort, etc.); only (consolation, saving grace, etc.); sole
mere consolation; temporary peace of mind
a kind; a sort; of sorts; something of a; sort of; somewhat
environment; circumstance
falsely similar; counterfeit
deeply; keenly; severely; intently; carefully; closely
to begin to say; to start talking; to broach (a matter); to be the first to say; to suggest (doing); to propose
few; a little; scarce; insufficient; seldom
creating a (usually favorable) environment
massive failure; debacle; fiasco
amount necessary to fill a container (e.g. cupful, spoonful, etc.); drink (usu. alcoholic); full; one squid, octopus, crab, etc.; one boat; fully; to capacity
the best one can do; one's best effort; with all one's might; to the best of one's ability
to entrust (a matter) to; to leave to; to abandon oneself to (e.g. pleasure); to yield to (e.g. anger); to devote oneself to