elementary; basic; rudimentary
behavioral principle; principle (value) governing one's conduct
to give; to offer; to lift up; to hold up; to raise
one parent; single parent
even so (expressing frustration, etc.); still
something said for politeness' sake; diplomatic language; honeyed words; lip service; empty compliment
to shout (in anger); to yell
person who has rendered distinguished service
to make narrower; to shut (an umbrella); to shrug (one's shoulders); to purse (one's lips)
to be wrapped up (e.g. in a blanket); to cover oneself
tsk tsk; oh-oh; huh; what's that?
to fall behind; to lag behind; to lose (race, contest)
to knock down; to beat (someone) up; to injure (someone) so badly they cannot recover (esp. emotionally); to overwhelm (with mental anguish, etc.)
hectic; bewildering; bustling; dizzy
author (usu. of a particular book); writer
busy; hectic; frantic; restless; hurried; fidgety
to sharpen; to hone; to wash (rice); to scour; to polish
newly arrived; newly joined; newly entered; newcomer
to arouse someone's interest; to whet (appetite); to be appealing; to be intriguing; to be fascinating
several weeks; a few weeks
how many months?; how long?
catastrophe; cataclysm; collapse (of a relationship); breakup; split (friends, lovers, etc.)
to disappear; to vanish; to bolt; to go into hiding
selfish; self-centred; egotistical
to perform the last rites over the deceased; to give someone their final notice (e.g. when firing them); to give someone the final word
to use X as a selling point
to stake; to risk; to bet; to wager
apparently; from what I have heard; they say; you know; I hear
taking a long time; slowness; sluggishness; lack of firmness; looseness; slovenliness
meddling; fumbling; fondling; playing around with something
refreshingly; with a feeling of relief; pleasantly; (wearing, etc. something) elegantly; smartly; stylishly
skillful handling of a kitchen knife
chocolate bar; bar of chocolate
to chip off; to scrape off; to prune
boiling; seething; becoming heated (e.g. debate); excitement; soaring (prices); shooting up