defense; defence; defensive preparations
shorthanded; short of hands; undermanned; insufficient (stock, money, etc.); in short supply; low
mysterious presence; mysterious atmosphere; aura of mystery
snapping (e.g. book shut); clapping; crackling; pachinko
electrical outlet; wall socket; power plug
well aware of; know thoroughly; being familiar with (and thus feeling no need for restraint)
rear gate (esp. of castle); back entrance; one who arrests; force attacking the rear of a castle; (opponent's) weak point
vague; faint; dim; indistinct; hazy; blurry
to press for an answer; to shower questions on someone
to be uneasy; to be anxious; to fear
begging; pestering; pleading; coaxing
to put on airs; to act big; to throw one's weight about; to be overbearing; to be domineering; to be bossy
(unpleasant) state of affairs; predicament; mess
to be sacked; to be dismissed
to fight against; to oppose; to face
princess; daughter of a nobleman
confused; disordered; faltered; incoherent; inconsistent
chaos; confusion; disorder; chaotic; confused; uncertain
to destroy; to overthrow; to wreck; to ruin
to warn against; to caution against; to admonish; to scold; to prohibit; to forbid; (arch.) to be cautious
to qualify (as); to have the qualifications (for ...); to be entitled to; to have a claim (for)
good news; gospel (teachings or revelations of Jesus Christ)
subordination; servitude; servility; subordinate; underling
scary; frightening; eerie; dreadful
dull (e.g. of movement or reaction); sluggish
either way; in any case; one way or another
to go through the proper procedures; to follow the required steps
process; procedure; sequence; protocol; instruction
to cancel; to withdraw; to retract; to take back (words, etc.); to revoke
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
in all; in total; collectively; in addition; besides; at the same time
unpleasant; awkward; embarrassing; uneasy
standard; basis; principle
to be able to reach; to be within one's reach; to be able to afford; to be near (a certain age)
amorous; sexy; voluptuous; erotic
in a positive sense of the word; in the best sense of the word; in a good way
romantic; spicy; coquettish