laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
to be weary; to be worn out; to be fed up (with); to be sick of; to be dejected; to be dispirited
adventure; venture; venture which is unlikely to succeed; risky attempt; danger
invisibly; secretly; privately
to speak; to talk; to mediate; to act as a go-between; to put in a good word (for someone)
memory; sense; experience
to triumph; to be elated with success
spite; frustration; vexation
telecommunication equipment
to pick up; to adopt (e.g. a proposal); to accept; to take away; to confiscate; to deliver (a baby)
this and that; this or that; one thing or another; this way and that
to chase; to run after; to follow (a set order, a trend, etc.); to drive out; to get rid of; to drive (e.g. a herd)
scheme; tactic; stratagem; trick
to see through to the finish; to be seen to the end
leaving out; omitting; skipping; (beating) in succession; in a row
enthusiast; mania; enthusiasm
degree (of something); greatness or smallness (of something); quantity; number; amount; size
explosive; sudden and dramatic (of an increase in sales, popularity, etc.); explosive; rapid
reception; acceptance; enjoyment; being given
the way there; outbound leg; bound for ...; outbound ticket
to be temperate in; to refrain; to make notes; to jot down (e.g. phone number); to be in preparation for; to be in waiting for
stealthily; secretly; in secret
lost article; something forgotten
to finger; to tamper (with)
to wonder; to puzzle oneself about; to feel anxious about; to suspect; to doubt
to forestall; to beat to the punch; to anticipate; to play the first move (e.g. in go)
to insist; to assert; to be obstinate in saying
previous conviction; criminal record; previous offense; previous offence
the same generation; coeval
to tower above the rest; to be by far the best; to be prominent; to be outstanding; to be a cut above
well-versed (in); profoundly knowledgeable (about); high in the attainment (of)
(much) more than others; exceedingly; extremely; unusually
to do for (someone); to take in; to deceive; to hoodwink
secret plan; secret scheme; secret stratagem; secret method
vigilance; caution; alertness; precaution; being on guard
to choose at one's own discretion; to choose when to do something; to estimate (the time for something)
intentionally; deliberately; designedly; especially; particularly
together; at the same time; same; identical
to interrupt; to obstruct (a view, someone's way, etc.); to block (light, wind, etc.); to intercept; to cut off
neighbour; neighbor; neighbourhood; neighborhood
to be worried about; to be concerned for someone's welfare