jpdb beta

to take (someone) by surprise; to do something unexpected

1

secret messenger

5

nephew

4

last (i.e. immediately preceding); previous; pre- (e.g. premodern); before; before; earlier

1

to confide; to reveal; to disclose; to lay bare; to speak frankly; to open (one's heart)

2

to propose; to suggest

2

to make (someone) understand (a fault, mistake, etc.); to reason with; to advise; to try to persuade; to exhort; to admonish

1

both in name and reality; both in name and substance

1

henchman; right-hand man; trusted confidant; inner circle

1

to tie up in a bundle (e.g. straw, hair, bills, letters); to bundle; to govern; to manage; to fold (one's arms); to put together (one's hands)

1

older brother; elder brother; brother-in-law (spouse's older brother or older sister's husband)

3

birth; lineage; identity; background; provenance; origin

3

to soften; to moderate; to relieve

1

whatever (the case may be)

1

to learn by hearsay

1

successive generations

2

on bad terms; at loggerheads

1

the present age; these days; (present) head of the family

1

training; drill; practice; discipline

1

something out of the ordinary; variant; variety; person with an unusual character or background; unique figure; exceptional type

2

I'm told; is what I heard; is how it is, apparently; is what they said

1

thinking; thought; idea; notion; intention; plan

2

really; truly; very; extremely; exceedingly; sincerely

1

in (e.g. secret); with (e.g. success)

1

to miss; to overlook; to let pass (a matter); to overlook (e.g. a wrongdoing); to pass up (e.g. an opportunity); to let (a good ball) go by

1

interview; audience; meeting; (viewing) party

1

behind one's back

1

evil; wickedness; (role of) the villain (in theatre, etc.); the bad guy

1

plan; scheme; stratagem; plot; trick

1

to bite; to chew; to gnaw; to fumble one's words (esp. during a play, broadcast, etc.); to falter with one's words; to crash against (e.g. of waves); to break onto (shore)

2

crafty; tricky; sly; sinister (look)

1

disclosure; exposure; revelation

1

accession to the throne; enthronement

1

still; as yet; as of old

1

absence; being away from home; house-sitting; house-sitter; neglecting (e.g. one's studies); leaving unattended

3

with a complacent smile; with a smile of satisfaction

1

from the beginning; without hesitation; entirely; completely; head-on; head-first

1

(in) one's absence

1

(giving) instruction (esp. in the secrets of an art, discipline, etc.); initiation; teaching; passing on; imparting

1

aha!; yes sir

2

to prostrate oneself (before)

1

ordinary person; average person; mediocre person

2

to be sorry; to beg someone's pardon; to be much obliged; to be grateful; to be amazed; to be greatly impressed

1

property; possession

1

imprudence; misbehavior; misbehaviour; misunderstanding

1

to hold (something) reverently with both hands

1

with a pat; with a tap; with a pop; with a crack; casually (throw); carelessly

2

to obey respectfully; to humble oneself; to sit straight (upright, respectfully, attentively)

1

early; right away; at once; early time; early stage (in one's life, etc.)

1

equipping; installing; fitting; mounting; putting on

1