before one's own eyes; from under one's very nose; without doing anything; without resistance; helplessly; negligently
to create a breeding ground for future problems; to turn a blind eye to future trouble; to allow for something to come back and bite one in the ass (in the future)
hot; warm; passionate; impassioned; on everybody's mind; on the radar
trump card; ace up one's sleeve; secret weapon
cold-blooded; unfeeling; heartless; heart of stone; inconsiderate
especially; particularly; surely; clearly; as if; as though
anti-; antithesis; fanqie; traditional Chinese spelling system in which two characters are used: the first one for the onset, the second one for rhyme and tone
to wager; to bet; to risk; to stake; to gamble
giving and taking; exchange (of letters); arguing back and forth; (conversational) exchange
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
(arch.) all together in a line; (arch.) all together in a lump; dressed sloppily; overdressed for the occasion
to wriggle; to squirm; to crawl like a worm
to eat up and spoil (e.g. crops); to eat away; to eat a bit of everything; to encroach upon; to take over
(not) particularly; (not) especially; (not) very; (not) much
to be anxious or concerned about; to ponder (anxiously); to fear; to investigate; to consider; to plan
tool; implement; means; furniture
to go mad; to go crazy; to go insane
good bye; I'm off; see you later
don't worry; no worries; never mind
royal castle; imperial castle
certain; unmistaken; evident; obvious; beyond doubt
foreign enemy; outside invader
fort; fortress; stronghold; fortification
solid; strong; sturdy; durable; stout
to dedicate; to make an offering; to supply; to store; to finish; to bring to a close; to restore (something to its place)
after this; henceforth; henceforward; from now on
to continue (for a long time); to occur in succession; to come next (e.g. on TV)
will; resolution; kindness; goodwill; gift (as a token of gratitude)
entry into a castle (by a conquering force)
apron of a gun; cover for the touch-hole on a cannon or matchlock
to drop; to lose; to clean off (dirt, makeup, paint, etc.); to remove (e.g. stains or facial hair); to lose (a match); to reject (an applicant); to lower (e.g. shoulders or voice)
now (when it is already much too late); at this stage; afresh; anew; again
to swing; to sway; to shake; to waver; to feel shaken; to become unstable
tenderhearted; faint of heart
to run; to dash; to gallop (on horseback); to canter; (arch.) to advance (against one's enemy); (arch.) to charge (on horseback)
genuine; authentic; true; real
body; group; party; gang; troupe; troop
to be boiled; to be cooked
to boil; to seethe; to roil (e.g. waterfall, torrent); to foam; to well up (of emotions); to overflow (e.g. fighting spirit)
to strain one's eyes; to look closely; to stare at
interval; period of time; among; between; good opportunity; chance
dead of night; middle of the night; midnight; third quarter of the hour of the ox (2-2:30am, or 3-3:30am)