answering one's own question; wondering to oneself; soliloquizing; soliloquising
to take seriously; to take someone at their word; to believe (to be true)
opposite; reverse; contrary; front and back; parallel to; back to back
difficult to ...; hard to ...
(breaking) with a snap (of a thread, rope, etc.); (stopping) suddenly (of communications, a practice, etc.); abruptly; completely
unfavourably; unfavorably; disparagingly; insultingly; ill
bed of nails; bed of thorns; bed of needles
body and soul; mind and body
in tatters; in pieces; wiped out
cast-off skin (snake, insect, etc.); husk; empty shell; exuvia; exuviae
to rewind; to rally; to recover; to come back
depressing; dark (e.g. story); grim (e.g. expression); irritating; annoying; tedious (work, person, etc.)
to send (something) flying; to splatter; to drive (something) off
you'll regret this!; I'll get you for this!; just you wait!
bad taste (e.g. in clothes); poor taste
immediately; instantly; with nary a pause; without a moment's delay
laid-back; carefree; easygoing; thoughtless; happy-go-lucky
to check; to hold back; to keep at bay; to stop; to prevent; to stem
strongish; somewhat strong
manner of using one's hands
difficult person; good-for-nothing; pain in the ass (arse)
kitchen table; kitchen counter; working surface
quacking; cackling; loudly (snore, complain, argue, etc.); noisily; with a buzzing sound (e.g. speaker); with a crackling sound
Urashima Tarō; fairy-tale fisherman who, after visiting the underwater Palace of the Dragon King, returns centuries later
short, intensive course; crash course
committee; commission; board; panel; committee meeting
promotion (school, military, etc.)
informal social gathering; convivial meeting; get-together
obtaining (a qualification, right, object, etc.); acquisition (of land, property, etc.); gaining possession (of); getting; purchase
condition; state (of health); appearance
to have something on someone; to catch someone out; to trip someone up; to find someone's fault; to get evidence on someone; to get a lead on someone
ingenious; skillful; clever; deft; sophisticated
revisiting; visiting again
limitation; restriction; condition; constraints