to take an attitude; to take a stance; to commit oneself; to assume a position
strict; severe; stern; rigid; rigorous; tough
sudden change; complete change
believer in materialism; materialist
change in a bus route; change in policy; policy change (reversal)
to fold one's arms; to stand and watch (without interfering); to stand idly by; to lie in wait; to be ready and waiting
all one's power (strength, energy, efforts); one's utmost
hegemony; leadership; initiative
to be defeated; to be beaten; to be unsuccessful; to lose
exile; banishment; eviction; elimination (e.g. of poverty); removal
confinement; imprisonment; incarceration
withdrawal; secession; separation; breakaway
to stir up; to poke (the fire); to beat (an egg); to arouse (interest, feelings, etc.); to stir; to stoke
deadlock; standstill; stalemate; impasse; standoff
to try to unsettle someone; to throw off balance
to take measures; to take steps
being a mystery (due to conflicting testimony); being unknown; (lit.) in a grove
to lure (someone) out; to lure away; to decoy out
shutting tightly; making airtight; sealing hermetically
to play a role; to serve a function; to play a part
such; this sort of; like this
contrast; juxtaposition; comparison; correlation (of strata)
good; excellent; sufficient; enough; profitable (deal, business offer, etc.); beneficial
kimono; Japanese traditional clothing (esp. full-length); clothing; clothes
to undermine; to sap; to dig away
to take the middle (between the two); to split the difference
gossip; corner of the mouth
what is called; as it is called; the so-called; known as; so to speak
whirlpool; swirl; eddy; vortex; maelstrom
dangerous; unsettled; troubled; disturbed; insecure
example; simile; metaphor; allegory
subordinate work; assistant; domestic duties; servant; maid
amendment; correction; revision; modification; alteration; retouching
riding together; sharing a car (taxi, etc.); doing in collaboration; backing of the same candidate by different political parties
to get on a horse; to mount a horse
beyond that point; after that