laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
to take a breath; to take a short rest
(within a) territory; domains
reason; logic; sense; natural way of things
person doing the actual work (as opposed to management)
(arch.) the art of war; (arch.) martial arts; military force; the sword; valor; bravery
taking advantage of (a convenient situation)
remote region; frontier (district); border(land)
private; foot soldier; infantryman; underling; low level worker; minor player
commander-in-chief; supreme commander
to work (someone) hard; to push (someone) around
to lure someone; to entice someone
surfacing; rising to the surface; emerging; leaping into prominence; rising (of rank)
profile; face in profile; face seen from the side; (personal) profile; (biographical) sketch; outline (of someone's life)
probability; likelihood; chances
fate; destiny; connection; tie; pretext; justification
life and death; life or death
to revive; to come to oneself; to be restored to life
possession (by a spirit, etc.); dependence; depending on
heeding; paying attention; bearing in mind
to be due to; to be caused by; to depend on; to turn on; to be based on; to come from
just right (time, size, length, etc.)
idly; lazily; aimlessly; evasively; elusively; vaguely
one's superior; higher-up; boss; senior
to act as an agent for; to intermediate; to announce (someone's arrival); to answer (the door, the phone); to convey (a message)
to read too much into things; to get wrong ideas by letting one's imagination run wild; to have a groundless suspicion
the reverse; other side; lining
wishes of a deceased person; dying wish
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
side (esp. of a waterbody); edge; bank; shore
holiday; day off; furlough; absence (from work)
to put a burden on; to tax (e.g. strength)
well; in good health; safe; free from accident
bathing (in a lake, river, or in the sea); playing in the water; playing with water
to negotiate (with someone about); to talk over (something with); to tackle someone (about); to throw on each other; to splash (water) on each other; to pour on each other
ripple (on water); wavelets; ripple (e.g. of uneasiness); unrest; disturbance
(swimming) pool; pool (billiards); pool (together)
billow; surge; large wave