oil; petroleum; kerosene; paraffin
without; but if; otherwise; or else
beginning; start; clue; lead; thread end
bacterium; bacteria; germ
amplification (elec.); magnification; amplification; making larger
strengthening; intensifying; reinforcement; enhancement; solidification
essential; important; crucial; vital; main
to determine (esp. a culprit or underlying cause); to pin down; to ascertain; (arch.) to stab to death
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
on the way; en route; in the process of (development, construction, etc.); in the middle of
in short; in a word; to sum up; to put it simply; to make a long story short; after all
principle; theory; fundamental truth
stern; grave; austere; strict (e.g. security); severe; firm
yes; yeah; hum; hmmm; oof
throughout; over a period of ...; over a span of ...
every part of the world; all over the world; the four corners of the world
battle; fight; war; struggle; conflict
to unfold; to unroll; to open
announcement (esp. over public-address system); official announcement; formal information release
ghastliness; dreadfulness; grimness; intimidation; menace; threat
oh; ho; exclamation of surprise, admiration, etc.; hoo (owl call); toot (sound of a flute)
unreliable; undependable; helpless; forlorn; worried; uneasy
piece; slice; cloth; sharpness; agility; counter for scraps, pieces, etc.
to collect; to assemble; to gather
official; governmental; public (use, matter, forum, etc.); common; being public knowledge; being out in the open
shady; underhanded; questionable
going public (with a matter); becoming public knowledge; recourse to litigation; taking (a matter) to court
to be in danger of; to be liable to
pleasant; delightful; enjoyable; joyful; cheerful; amusing
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
villain; baddie; the villain's part
old man; venerable gentleman; venerable; old; father
not ... for nothing; not ... with nothing to show for it; worthwhile; no wonder ...
great-grandfather; great-granddad; great-grandad
illness (usu. excluding minor ailments, e.g. common cold); disease; bad habit; bad behaviour; crazy; insane