splash; spray; chance blow; by-blow; getting dragged into (a quarrel, etc.)
charming, enticing smile; smile meant to catch a man's attention
a question of whether or not someone should resign
bowing out; retiring voluntarily
to make a mess of; to sacrifice; to waste
even though it is not; despite not
inarticulate; not making oneself quite clear; slurring one's words; evasive
strong spirit; mettle; backbone; guts; fighting spirit
unconditionally; as a rule
to sprain; to twist; to dampen (enthusiasm); to discourage; to dishearten
solicitude; consideration; concern; (excessive) kindness
having lost face; in a bind
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
push; pushing; weight; pressure; authority; forcefulness
official notice; notification
to be affected; to be influenced; to be concerned with; to have to do with; to stick to (opinions)
way; method; means; resource; course
acting arbitrarily on one's own authority; acting arbitrarily without consultation
to curb; to halt; to apply brakes; to put an end to
unexpectedly; by chance; by accident
opinion; point of view; visual point
inferiority (e.g. numerical); inferior position; disadvantage; unfavorable situation; unfavourable situation
to reject; to repulse; to repel; to bounce back; to counterattack; to strike back
to praise extravagantly; to lionize; to lionise; to make much of
to decorate; to add a touch of colour; to grace
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
passionate; hot-blooded; full of vitality
not all bad; not as dissatisfied (or annoyed) as one would have others believe
to put on airs; to assume importance
precondition; prerequisite
(while) holding a post or being in office
parting gift; remembrance; aftereffect
middle way; (golden) mean; moderation; the Doctrine of the Mean (one of the Four Books)
to value; to prize; to esteem; to respect
person of common sense; common sense man
to act as one; to act in concert; to keep pace; to stay in step
to precede; to forestall; to anticipate
clique; group; (political) faction; wing; school; sect
order; discipline; regularity; system; method
permutation; lining up in order; linear arrangement
to emphasize; to attach importance to
catch up with and overtake; pass after catching up with
walking; pace; step; course (of history, one's life, etc.); history; pitch (of a screw, etc.)