only recently; just of late
to be obsessive (about); to be overly concerned (with); to be particular (about); to pay special attention (to); to get stuck; to be obstructed
to ask again; to repeat one's question; to ask back; to ask in return; to counter
to get worked up; to be eager (enthusiastic); to rouse oneself
curiosity; inquisitiveness
hint; suggestion; clue; suggestion
comfort; ease; easy; simple; (economically) comfortable; raku pottery
painful; difficult; distressing; (psychologically) difficult; straitened (circumstances); tight (financial situation)
to be scorched into; to be seared into; to make a strong impression; to be etched in (one's memory)
losing oneself (in); being absorbed (in); forgetting oneself
just (now, at the moment, etc.); just as; in the act of; as soon as; at the moment that
to spout out; to spurt out; to sprout; to bud; to burst into laughter; to blow (smoke, etc.)
expansion and contraction; elasticity; flexibility
now that you mention it; come to think of it; that reminds me; on that subject; speaking of which
cover (e.g. for illegal activity); front; Dendropanax trifidus (species of flowering plant); straw raincoat that makes one invisible
secret art; secret technique; mysteries (of an art)
magician; wizard; sorcerer; witch; mage
hard to understand; Byzantine fashion
technique; art; skill; move
or something; or something like that; or words to that effect; something or other
slight; insignificant; small
if; when; when it comes to ...; as for ...; why don't you ...; why not ...
powerlessness; helplessness; incompetence; ineffectiveness
to draw near; to draw closer; to press (e.g. for an answer); to hound
just barely; only just; at the very limit; at the last moment
tone of voice (e.g. in a sweet tone); timbre
part; assigning (allotment of) parts; role; duties
training; drill; practice; discipline
in short; in a word; to sum up; to put it simply; to make a long story short; after all
to apologize (apologise); to refuse; to decline; to be unable to bear; to be defeated (by)
idea; conception; way of thinking; approach; expression
one's nature; one's destiny; custom; tradition; habit
war; fighting; fierce competition
explanation (e.g. for one's actions); excuse; justification; defense; defence
throat; important part; vital area
middle; halfway; half (of); one half; half (e.g. done, jokingly); partly
to pin down; to knock down; to push (and hold) someone down (esp. with sexual connotations)
to follow around; to shadow; to tag along; to haunt one (e.g. feeling, failure); to follow one
investigation (e.g. into someone's guilt); questioning; pressing; catching up; overtaking