one parent; single parent
child one is expecting; child in one's womb
companion; follower; attendant; retinue
serious wound; serious injury
to be at a loss; to be in a corner
to grasp at straws; to resort to desperate measures
straw doll; straw figure; straw effigy
light trap (for killing insects)
to come to nothing; to be spoiled; to be spoilt
one's later years; final years (in life)
to be dripping wet; to get drenched to the skin
large pink (Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus); woman who displays the feminine virtues of old Japan
hard problem; person hard to please; hard nut to crack
to think constantly about; to dwell on
person who is ignorant outside his field
folk beliefs; folk religion
to express in a refined fashion; to weave a web of words
to wait and see; to see how the land lies
middle way; (golden) mean; moderation; the Doctrine of the Mean (one of the Four Books)
convenience; user-friendliness
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
extermination; expulsion; destruction
my spouse (esp. used to refer to one's wife); my wife; my husband
bikini model (usually teenage); pin-up girl
nonfulfillment of a contract; contractual non-performance; breach of contract
accountability; being held accountable
family quarrel; quarrel between parent and child
to beat someone to the punch; to get the drop on (someone); to forestall
enlightening; deep; meaningful; profound; subtle; rich in nuance
disadvantage; handicap; drawback; inadvisability; inexpediency; loss
(move) slowly (e.g. walk); sluggishly; stolidly; ploddingly; heavily
liquid crystal display; LCD; liquid crystal screen
timidly; nervously; with nervous diffidence; trembling with fear
making doubly sure; insurance run (baseball); points scored for good measure
to thrust before; to thrust at
news of someone's death; obituary