direct connection; direct link
congestion (with blood); hyperemia; hyperaemia
shadow (e.g. on someone's happiness); cloud; shade; gloom
construction; architecture (of buildings)
outline; summary; gist; in brief
itemization (of expenses); the items; breakdown; classification
far and away the best; the very best; cream of the crop; crème de la crème; decisive lead; commanding lead
to hinder; to obstruct; to disrupt; to interfere with; to cause a delay
practice; training; drill; (an) exercise; workout
perfect score; full marks; perfection; grading out of a hundred; grading on a scale of 0 to 100
passing (an examination); making the grade
positive (e.g. thinking); positive; positive (pole); anode
something extra; something on top; and then some; icing on the cake
becoming more serious or severe; aggravation; intensification
to be at a loss how to continue an offensive; to be frustrated by impregnable defences
all; altogether; entirely; exactly alike (e.g. in appearance); spitting image of; identical
7th day of the month; seven days
it's better to; it's best to; it's safest to; you can't go wrong with; it doesn't hurt (to be young, beautiful, have money, etc.)
bygones; the past; past event
to shake one's head (in denial)
let's see what you've got; show me what you've got
salt; common salt; hardship; toil; saltiness; cold
silver (Ag); silver (color); silver (medal, prize, etc.); silver coin; silver general; bank; (arch.) money
glasses; eyeglasses; judgment; judgement; four-eyes
one arm; one's right-hand man; one's right hand
to be lifted up (with a crane, ropes, etc.); to be raised; to be hoisted; to turn upward (esp. of eyes); to slant upward
dental brushing; brushing one's teeth; dentifrice; toothpaste; tooth powder
to fold up; to fold into layers; to collapse (content on a webpage, etc.)
to choose the best; to select carefully; to handpick
to support (a theory, claim, etc.); to back up; to substantiate; to prove
for a long time; since long ago; always; already; far in advance (e.g. reservation)
participation in a war; going to war; taking part in a competition or contest
to get someone to say; to make someone say
(distinction of) sex; gender
deletion; elimination; erasure; striking out
a matter of course; what is to be expected; par for the course
writer; painter; drawer; skilful writer; skilful painter
shamelessly; acting brazenly unaffected; being resigned to (disgrace)