to jump at; to leap at; to fly at; to spring at; to pounce on
to extract; to pull out; to draw out; to headhunt; to lure away; to poach
to thrust away; to send flying
to enjoy; to take pleasure in; to have a good time; to look forward to
selfish; egoist; (arch.) self-indulgent; (arch.) wilful; (arch.) willful
pet dog; non-sporting dog
to swallow; to gulp down; to understand; to grasp; to engulf; to swallow up
to spout out; to spurt out; to sprout; to bud; to burst into laughter; to blow (smoke, etc.)
every corner; every nook and cranny; all the ins and outs
leaving a letter behind; letter left behind by someone who has departed; farewell letter
soaked to the skin; like a drowned rat
cramp; sprain; unreasonableness; absurdity; illogical; unreasonable
favourite child; favourite student; apple of one's eye
highly unpredictable; touch and go
to gain experience; to accumulate experiences
legitimate son (esp. eldest son); heir
peremptorily; willy-nilly; forcibly
to knock (someone) down; to floor; to beat up; to deal a devastating blow (from which one cannot recover); to devastate (emotionally); to crush
having special circumstances (e.g. problems, issues, advantages, flaws, defects, etc.); imperfect (merchandise); with defects
to boast; to brag; to talk big
to get back to normal; to get back into one's stride; to get back into the swing of it
to make a blunder; to bungle; to mess up; to make a foolish mistake
to use someone's (argument, attack) against them; to use (an attack) to one's advantage; to take advantage of (a negative situation)
to be one's ruin; to do harm; to cause trouble; to have negative consequences; to bring about a bad outcome
hearsay; rumor; grapevine
administration of justice; judicature
executive; government; administration; governance; the authorities
number; number plate; license plate
back-to-back; facing in opposite directions; two sides of the same coin; inextricably linked (esp. with something dangerous or undesirable); on bad terms; at odds
to be in charge of; to manage; to direct; to rule; to govern; to control
disturbance; trouble; ups and downs (e.g. in life); vicissitudes; small and large waves
romance; love story; love affair; romantic relationship; romance
piece (e.g. poetry); poem; essay; book; story
before one knows it; before one realises; without one's knowledge; without noticing
willful; wilful; selfish; carefree; do-as-you-please; freewheeling
lingering illness; chronic ill health; long-term malaise of uncertain origin
to express one's deepest sympathies
up and down; lightly; nimbly; casually; (strolling about) without a care