retort; back talk; backchat
eyesore; offensive sight; offense to the eye; obstruction (to the view of something)
to miss; to overlook; to let pass (a matter); to overlook (e.g. a wrongdoing); to pass up (e.g. an opportunity); to let (a good ball) go by
smoothly; swimmingly; forthrightly; without hesitation
cash; ready money; money on hand; mercenary; self-interested; calculating
bearded face; unshaven face; hairy face
to bend; to curve; to bend (the truth); to falsify; to corrupt; to sully
antics; buffoonery; clowning; clown; jester
opposite; reverse; contrary; front and back; parallel to; back to back
entrance (on the stage); appearance (in a book, film, etc.); appearance (on the scene); arrival (on the market); emergence
center; centre; middle; -centered; -centred; -focused
to move (to another place or state); to change (e.g. of state, affiliation, scenery, etc.); to spread (of a fire, smell, etc.); to catch (an illness); to move (e.g. of one's focus); to change (e.g. of one's interest)
gossipy; abusive; critical; jabbering
attention; notice; care; caution; advice; warning
as if; as it were; as though; right then; just then; at that moment
main performer; star performer; headliner; rakugo storyteller of the highest rank
stage (of a theatre, concert hall, etc.); stage performance; stage production; setting (of a story); scene; sphere (of activity)
battlefield; battleground
state of the war; war situation
to repaint; to paint again; to paint (a different colour); to change completely; to break (a record); to redraw (e.g. the map)
implication; hidden meaning; latitude; atmosphere; tone; sentiment
query; interrogation; enquiry; question; inquiry
to let the tension out of one's shoulders; to relax; to not take oneself too seriously
to wither (of a plant); to be blasted; to die; to mature (of one's personality, abilities, etc.)
bureau director; office chief
to raise; to elevate; to move something (to a higher place); to put onto (e.g. a shelf); to increase (price, quality, status, etc.); to raise (a wage); to show someone (into a room)
refreshing; exhilarating; invigorating; bracing
philosophical view; looking at philosophically; long view; farsighted view
borderline between life and death; verge of death; deadline (boundary around a prison which prisoners were not allowed to cross)
to go under; to pass under; to dive (into or under the water); to evade; to get around; to survive
ghastliness; dreadfulness; grimness; intimidation; menace; threat
to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
this area; around here; this point; this much; this extent
to enclose; to surround; to shelter (e.g. a criminal); to shield; to keep (e.g. a mistress); to store (vegetables, fruit, etc.)
(if) by some chance; by some possibility; in the unlikely event that; (unlikely event of) emergency; the worst(-case scenario)
neighborhood; neighbourhood; vicinity; environs; surrounding area; district
government office building
secretary (government); director; chief
room; wife (of someone of high rank); scabbard; Chinese "Encampment" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
to be lit (e.g. candle, lamp, light bulb); to be lighted; to be burning
profound; deep; grave; solid; dignified; stately
serving concurrently as; concurrently holding the position of; holding the additional post of; additional post