how it came about; how it originated; how it happened; the origins of the imbroglio
continent; continental Asia (esp. mainland China); continental Europe
800; eight hundred; multitude; large number
remote region; outlying district; border district; frontier
stopping functioning; being out of service
common; ordinary; conventional; customary
to be in high spirits; to be encouraged; to be lively; to cheer up
at a loss for what to do; at one's wits' end; having no choice
scuttling (to escape in a panic, in shame, etc.); scurrying; scrambling
group; flock; crowd; wide expanse (of flowers)
to be needed; to be necessary; to be required; to be wanted; to need; to want
something thrown in (with a purchase); something extra; (giving a) discount; price reduction; addition; embellishment (e.g. to a story)
to be a match for; to rival; to equal; to compare with; to be equivalent to
to have; to possess; to own; to be endowed with
to lurk; to be hidden; to be concealed; to lie dormant; to be latent
unit; (small) group (esp. in music or entertainment); band
accomplishment; execution
step; stair; shelf; layer; grade; level; dan (degree of advanced proficiency in martial arts, go, shogi, etc.)
cheap; inexpensive; calm; peaceful; quiet
exorbitant; outrageous; ridiculous; absurd; excessive; inordinate
very much; exceedingly; extremely
(written) contract; agreement
necessary expenses; due charges; tax deductible expenses
separate; special; another; separately
claim; demand; charge; application; request; billing (for a service)
acquaintance; friend; familiar face
master; boss; stable master; craftsman; artisan; (arch.) foster parent
to contract (to do); to undertake; to take on (work); (arch.) to take responsibility for; (arch.) to be liable for
bill; account; invoice; information request form
extraordinary; preposterous; outrageous; absurd
festival merrymaking; revelry
state-of-the-art; cutting-edge
inverted; upside down; reversed; back to front
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
to betray; to turn traitor (to); to double-cross; to disappoint; to let down
horn; antler; antenna; feeler; horn-like projection (e.g. peaks of whipped cream)
to place persons opposite; to come face to face with; to compare (with); to check (against); to match
to sell off; to sell completely
head of a sleeping person
the trouble is that ...; the problem is that ...; unfortunately; annoyingly