several; a number of; quantity; amount; counting; figures; number
hard to say; inexpressible; hesitant to say; embarrassing; delicate
no, not like that (but like this)
how many people; a number of people
to be worried about; to be concerned for someone's welfare
secret; private; surreptitious
to think; to consider; to think (of doing); to plan (to do); to judge; to assess; to imagine
to tread on thin ice; to go out on a limb; to walk a tightrope; to take risks; (lit.) to cross a dangerous bridge
softening; softening (of attitude); mollification; weakening (of the market); blanching (e.g. of vegetables; by depriving of light)
to cling to; to hang onto; to rely on; to depend on; to implore; to entreat
to falter; to flinch (from); to recoil (from); to quail (at)
to declare; to assert; to say bluntly; to say straight out
there is no way that ...; easy; simple
to bend; to crook; to lean; to tilt; to bend (the truth); to distort
cold (to the touch); chilly; icy; (emotionally) cold; coldhearted; unfeeling
incidentally; taking the opportunity; while (you) are at it; on the occasion
to cool (from room temperature); to chill; to calm down; to cool off; to be frightened (at); to be scared (of)
fast (walking); quick; brisk; quick (passing of time); rapid; swift
to drive away; to turn away; to send away; to repel; to repulse
insistent; obstinate; persistent; too rich (taste, etc.); fatty; heavy
to put an end to something; to get something over with; to quit something one has been engaged in too long or to an excessive degree
entrance; entry; gate; approach; mouth
shadow; silhouette; reflection; image; ominous sign; light (stars, moon)
unpleasant; awkward; embarrassing; uneasy
thank you for waiting; sorry to have kept you waiting
to peep (through); to peek; to await (one's chance); to guess; to infer
as a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth; to be honest; frankly
supposing; even if; granting that; temporarily; provisionally; for the time being
explanation; excuse; clarification; vindication; apology
(apparently) that's what it's like, isn't it
to make muddy (of a liquid); to make cloudy; to make turbid; to make ambiguous; to evade (e.g. the point); to be noncommittal about
choices; alternatives; options
anyone; anybody; everyone; everybody; whoever
unrelated; irrelevant; unconcerned; unconnected
something small; something petty; trifle
to begin to say; to start talking; to broach (a matter); to be the first to say; to suggest (doing); to propose
each time; every time; whenever (something happens); on the occasion of
somehow (or other); for some reason; without knowing why; something (or other); some ... or other
to attempt; to test; to try out
to reject; to spurn; to turn down; to refuse
potentiality; likelihood; possibility; availability
as if ...; as if to say ...; as though ...