present (e.g. government, administration); current; existing
to replace; to convert; to exchange; to interchange; to substitute (person, staff member, player, etc.)
limitation; restriction; condition; constraints
attentive; cautious; careful; watchful
(something having its) merits and demerits; advantages and disadvantages; good points and shortcomings
adapting oneself to the requirements of the moment; playing by ear; ad hoc approach
division (distribution) of roles; role-sharing
robot; (mere) puppet; pawn; figurehead
(starting) from nothing; from scratch
seeming (to be); appearing; apparently
openly; squarely; directly; to a person's face
taking on one's share (e.g. of work); dividing (work, expenses, etc.) between; apportionment; allotment; allocation; assignment
to use as a pretext; to use as an excuse; to use as grounds (for); to use as a shield; to shelter behind; to hide behind
greedy; avaricious; rapacious; insatiable
to be excited; to be elated
to follow in succession; to happen one after another
being incident to; being accompanied by; being collateral with; being attached to
gracious (defeat, apology, etc.); graceful; upright; righteous; (arch.) unspoiled (scenery, etc.); (arch.) pure
I would rather; I would as lief do; strong preference
comparing and adjusting; reconciling; lapping; precision surface finishing; margination
ladder; stairs; going to several places in succession (e.g. barhopping)
other side; other party; other end (e.g. of phone connection); opposition
to suffice; to serve the purpose; to be satisfied
this and that; one thing and another
bounds; limits; boundary fence (esp. of horse-riding ground)
seductive; carnal; troubling; difficult; anxious; uneasy
justice; right; righteousness; correct meaning; correct explanation
to continue to do; to persist in doing
cut end; section; opening; point of view; (different) perspective; new approach
one's dearest wish; Buddha's vow to save humanity
commerce; trade; business
self-torturing; masochistic
entertainer; performer; celebrity; entertainment personality
resignation; stepping down; retirement; retreat; decamping; withdrawal
to anticipate; to foresee
human affairs; mundane matters; personnel affairs; human resources; human power; human effort
Department of State (US); State Department
Department of Defense (USA); the Pentagon; Ministry of Defence (UK, etc.)
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
self-satisfied look; triumphant expression