to have readied a bow and stand at ready; to watch for an opportunity; to wait until the time is ripe
truant; school dropout; child who refuses to attend school
in a quarrel, both parties are to blame
two guilty parties tried and punished together
difficult to hear; unpleasant to hear
whitewashing; glossing over; lip service; deftly finishing up; putting on the final touches
viewing as ...; seeing as ...; treating as ...; regarding as ...
established (existing) policy (procedure(s))
to bear in mind; to keep remembering; to note
without any weak spot; watertight (e.g. reasoning); impeccable
to be able (to do); to be capable (of doing)
skipping school or work without a good reason; playing truant; playing hooky
to spoil someone's start; to kill someone's enthusiasm; to take the wind out of someone's sails
sushi shop; sushi restaurant; sushi bar
previous engagement; prior contract
great wealth; enormous fortune
Magic Tape (brand of hook-and-loop fastener, equiv. to Velcro)
steady progress; rapid advance
be inextricably involved; be in a sticky situation
resemblance; similarity; likeness; analogy
to leave home; to leave one's parental roof; to leave the nest; to go out on one's own
realistic; practical; feasible
to be caught in a dilemma; to get into a scrape
recovery (from an illness); recuperation; convalescence
to breathe heavily (e.g. with much movement of the shoulders)
to open the lid; to lift a lid; to open the lid (on); to make public; to start (something); to look at the results (consequences, outcome, effect)
family circle; one's circle (of friends, co-workers, etc.); private matters; internal affairs; conservative (e.g. estimate); moderate
not budging an inch; to stand one's ground
please don't fuss over me; don't go to any trouble; don't bother
boom; bang; wham; Oh my God!; What a shock!
cutting in line; queue jumping
handling things without making waves; taking in one's stride
undeserved honor (honour); too great an honour
to compete (with each other); to contend for; to vie for; to rival
to differentiate; to segregate
may I come in?; please forgive me; I'm sorry