creaking; squeaking; packing in tightly; cramming; hard (pressing, tying, twisting, etc.); tightly
to stuff into; to jam; to shorten; to move closer together; to reduce (spending); to conserve; to focus intently on
and yet; even so; nonetheless; for all that
hollow; sharply; cleanly (of cutting); smoothly
to be all out (e.g. of people); to be all elsewhere; to be all in use (e.g. of cars); to be sold out; to have none left
(one's) quota; assignment
system; organization; organisation; imperial command; laws; regulation
rate; ratio; percentage; commission; poundage; percentage
pay; salary; wages; allowance; grant; supply
top; top position; senior management; senior bureaucrat
sales; amount sold; proceeds
solemn (ceremony, atmosphere, etc.); austere; grave; majestic; dignified; stately
drawing room; parlour; parlor; reception office
storage room; storeroom; lumber room
go-getter employee; hard-driving employee; workaholic employee
to take a nap; to catch forty winks; to catch some Z's
excuse me; pardon me; I'm sorry; thank you
to be vague; to speak ambiguously; to be evasive; to not commit oneself
business rival; professional jealousy
to live; to reside; to inhabit
before one's eyes; in front of one; under one's nose; immediate; imminent; around the corner
quick-wittedness; having tact; being sensible
same trade; same business; same profession
to be saved up (of money)
to get (become) acquainted; to get to know; to get (become) intimate with; to become friendly with; to become friends
to take advantage (e.g. of a weak situation); to size up (e.g. customer when setting a high price)
overlooking; looking down at; having an overhead view; having a bird's-eye view; having a high-angle view
these guys; these fellows
intensive; concentrated; focused
golden child; promising young talent; (lit.) gold egg; golden egg; gold mine; cash cow
disastrous; tragic; miserable; wretched; pitiful; woeful
to come along; to come around; to turn up; to arrive at the present; to get where one is; to have been doing something (for a period of time)
to drift (to); to be washed ashore
on the road; on the street; in the street; on the way
alley; alleyway; teahouse garden; path through a gate (or through a garden, etc.)
staying the night; lodging (at)
(not) a single person; (no) one
comfort; ease; easy; simple; (economically) comfortable; raku pottery
weak person; the weak; vulnerable person; disadvantaged person
food; foodstuff; prey; victim