thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts
sycophant; apple-polisher; flatterer; sesame seed grinding
father; dad; papa; pa; pop; daddy
Department of Defense (U.S.); the Pentagon
vortex; maelstrom; whirlpool; (in the middle of a) scandal; controversy; quarrel
high (government) official
clerk at the information desk
leaving; quitting; retiring
founder; progenitor; emperor
(person treated as a) plaything
(very) patient; persevering
character (in a play or novel); dramatis personae
feeling guilty; having a guilty conscience; having qualms about
dotage; feeble-minded old man; senile old fool; dotard
incoherent; inconsistent; illogical; disorderly; confused; nonsensical
excavation (usu. archeological); dig
stratum; geological formation; layer; bed (coal, gravel, etc.)
tomfoolery; foolish act; nonsense; fool; idiot
setting a question (for an exam, quiz, etc.); setting a theme (for composition of poetry)
rising rapidly (e.g. prices, popularity); soaring; skyrocketing; going through the roof
to administer the affairs of state
jaws of death; dangerous place; (lit.) tiger's den
round-necked robe worn by members of nobility and the imperial court
very rude; very insolent; extremely reprehensible; outrageous
Chinese martial arts; kung fu; wushu; kenpō (martial arts); kempo
voice quality; type of voice
outer edge of the foot (from little toe to heel) (karate)
transmission of the secrets of an art, craft, trade or learning from father to only one child
basis; foundation; core; criterion; standard
one's heart; the mind; inner feelings; inmost thoughts; true motives