to be on the verge; to be on the brink; to get close
gaudy; showy; garish; crooked; vicious; wicked
show; performance; act; entertainment industry; show business
down-market; popular; mass-market
(degree of) seriousness; level of commitment
entrance fee; admission fee; admission; entrance charge; admission charge
(doing something) regardless of expense
earning rate; rate of return; price-earnings ratio; profitability; profit margin
watching while standing (e.g. a play)
pastime; hobby; favorite amusement; dissipation; debauchery; loose living
making; forming; cultivating; form; appearance
having vague fears; feeling alarmed; feeling gloomy (about the future); feeling apprehension
player (of a sport); athlete; team member
failed creative work; flop; dud; bomb
the proof of the pudding is in the eating; the proof is in the pudding; don't knock it till you've tried it; you can't tell unless you try
prize winner; pennant winner; victor
floating ball of fire (said to be the soul of a dead person); meteor; shooting star
acutely (feel); keenly; severely; tightly; hard
if you don't mind; if you like; if you feel up for it; if you're interested
it doesn't matter what; anything is fine
household; home; family; housekeeping
heartstrings; innermost soul
refutation; rebuttal; retort
by all means; by all costs
making one's best exertions
retainer; vassal; servant
worst; poor and boring; uncool
utter villain; atrocious fiend; devil
to resound; to make a stir
occupant of a house; family member; household member (incl. servant)
(young) hoodlum; delinquent boy; small-time yakuza; brat; little shit
to miss a meal; to lose the means to make one's livelihood
guard; security (officer); guardsman