letter (of alphabet); character; writing
to mince; to cut fine; to carve; to engrave; to tick away (time); to beat out (e.g. rhythm); to etch (into one's mind)
to shed light; to cast light
to burn; to burn with (emotion, feeling); to be fired up
a lot; lots; enough; sufficient; enough; too many
weak ending; tapering; anticlimax; tame ending
to shake; to jolt; to rock (cradle); to blackmail; to extort; to shake down
tip of nose; before one's eyes; under one's nose; tip (of something)
tragedy; tragic drama; tragic play; tragedy; calamity; disaster
otherwise; or else; if not
one's future; one's fate; one's way; one's path
goodness; excellence; virtue
unconsciously; unwittingly; unawares
steady; sound; solid; reliable; trustworthy
gaining total control (of people or counties); suppression; oppression; control; mastery; ascendancy
stationing (e.g. of troops); garrison
foreign country; other country; another province; strange land; alien land
root and branch; thoroughly; by the roots; completely; all
to snatch away; to dispossess; to steal
to set on fire; to ignite
commandant; commanding officer; general
military personnel; soldier
to have been decided (so) that; to have been arranged (so) that
to borrow; to have a loan; to hire; to rent; to buy on credit
highway (esp. one existing from the Edo period); main road; highway (e.g. to success); path (to becoming ...); subdistrict (in China)
vortex; maelstrom; whirlpool; (in the middle of a) scandal; controversy; quarrel
battle; fight; war; struggle; conflict
brisk and efficient; diligent; devoted; spirited
housework; domestic chores; family affairs; household matters
middle-age; middle age; midlife; one's middle years