to be main; to be principal; to be important
to sow; to plant; to sow (the seeds of; e.g. conflict); to sprinkle (gold or silver powder on lacquerware)
addict; junkie; substance abuser
viewing the past through rose-tinted glasses; glorifying past experiences; nostalgia filter; (lit.) memory revision
point of reference; reference point
being quick-eared; having sharp ears; being first to know about something
to become fine (of fabric); to be checkmated; to be hard pressed; to be at a loss
troublesome matter; burden; difficult task; chore; hassle
to work hard; to work diligently; to do one's best; to try one's hardest
misdeed; wrongdoing; wickedness
to get shabby; to go downhill; to go to seed; to go to the dogs
bad; wrong; evil; no good; wicked; reprehensible
irregular; unsystematic; unsteady; disorderly
to fall; to drop; to fail (an exam); to lose (a contest, election, etc.); to be unsuccessful
barely; narrowly; only just; with difficulty
thief; burglar; robber; theft; burglary; robbery
so what!; who gives a damn?
private affairs; personal matter
emergency measures; urgent countermeasures
(act of) violence; vicious crime; murder
promptly; quickly; without delay; before others; first
oil; petroleum; kerosene; paraffin
chin; jaw; gills; branchia
whip; lash; stick; cane; encouragement; rebuke
to cut down (grass, etc.; by swinging a sickle, scythe, etc.); to mow
to be hot on a person's heels
glittering; sparkling; glistening; twinkling
cutting in round slices; round slice; dividing into groups (e.g. by ability)
unmistakable; unquestionable; certain; evident
to clear away; to clear land; to prune; to lop off
to steam (food, towel, etc.); to be hot and humid; to be sultry
to connect; to correlate; to associate; to relate; to link
people; citizens; subjects; folk
first thing in the morning
one swift effort; rush through one's work; fast-talking, writing, etc.
to bend; to warp; to yield; to be supple (e.g. bamboo, body); to be flexible; to be pliant