savage; barbarous; barbaric; uncivilized; uncivilised
inferior; base; vulgar; low grade; lower class
transactions; dealings; business
grounds; foundation; authority; support; prop; something upon which to rely
lifeline; matter of life or death; indispensable thing; life line (in palm reading)
to stay on; to remain; to hold out; to stop (doing); to give up
evacuation; withdrawal; revocation; repeal; retreat
to be forced to do or experience something (against one's will); to be forced to do something because one has no other choice
spite; frustration; vexation
several years; a few years
passage (of time); elapsing; progress; development; transit
state of things; state of affairs; condition; situation; circumstances
chaos; confusion; disorder; chaotic; confused; uncertain
dispatch; despatch; deployment; temporary employee (esp. from an agency); temporary worker; agency temp
force; unit; corps; squad; troops; party
to build up; to establish (one's reputation)
in front of one's eyes; just nearby; within a stone's throw
fort; fortress; stronghold; fortification
origin; beginning; source; rise
reward; compensation; collateral; security; turning to look behind
otherwise; or else; if not
before one's own eyes; from under one's very nose; without doing anything; without resistance; helplessly; negligently
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
mainlander; person from the mainland
erratic; offbeat; wild; extraordinary
idea; conception; way of thinking; approach; expression
it's easier said than done; (lit.) saying is easy; doing is hard
ability to get things done
able; capable; competent; talented; efficient
withdrawal; secession; separation; breakaway
battle flag; standard; (regimental) colours; colors; ensign
independence; self-reliance; independence (e.g. of a nation); freedom; separation; isolation
reorganization; reorganisation; reshuffle