just before; on the verge of; on the brink of; just in front of; just ahead of
motorcycle; motorbike; bike; bicycle
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
school rules; school regulations
obtaining (a qualification, right, object, etc.); acquisition (of land, property, etc.); gaining possession (of); getting; purchase
anyway; either way; one way or the other; whichever; whatever
car; automobile; vehicle; wheel; castor; caster
nothing; naught; nought; un-; non-
intelligence; intellect; brains
carefree; free from worry
charming; fascinating; attractive
to open up (to someone); to become unreserved; to lower one's guard; to become friendly (with); to feel at ease; to take a relaxed attitude (to)
sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
to bloom; to flower; to blossom; (arch.) to rise up (of breaking waves)
apt to (do); liable to; predominantly; mostly; ... reaps the rewards; ... takes the prize
this (is) again; really; so; extremely
one (thing); one piece; one item
way; method; means; resource; course
slip of the tongue; misstatement; verbal slip-up
explosion; detonation; blast; outburst (of emotion); explosion (e.g. of anger); eruption (e.g. of discontent)
confident; full of confidence; cocky; full of oneself
to be surprised; to be amazed; to be frightened; surprise (e.g. surprise party)
immediately; instantly; with nary a pause; without a moment's delay
before one knows; before one becomes aware of; unnoticed; unawares
tapir (Tapirus spp.); mo (mythological Chinese chimera similar to a tapir, said to devour bad dreams)
self-satisfied look; triumphant expression
meaningfully (smiling, grinning, etc.); suggestively; broadly; sneeringly
daring; fearless; intrepid; bold; tough
quiet (e.g. neighbourhood); peaceful; tranquil
to pass (by) each other; to brush past; to miss (meeting) each other; to fail to meet; to be at odds; to clash
to go out (e.g. on an excursion or outing); to leave; to depart; to be about to leave; to be just going out
all day long; all the day; throughout the day
to come (home) to one; to click; to ring a bell; to appeal to one; to speak to one; to impress one
after a long time; for the first time in a while
incomprehensible; nonsensical; puzzling; mysterious; meaningless
to pass by; to go past; to go to extremes; to overdo it; to go too far
it seems so; that's what it looks like
all you want; as much as one wants
to become defiant; to fight back; to turn upon; to take the offensive
not knowing when to give up; being a bad loser
nonchalant air; unruffled air
opposite direction; reverse; retrorse
to turn up (hem, sleeves, etc.); to fold back (e.g. a page); to turn back; to double back; to enter (the second half; e.g. of a match); to do immediately (e.g. call back, answer an email)