round; circular; curved; smooth; harmonious; calm
slim figure; lean figure; weight reduction
thatched cottage; hovel; my humble cottage
to exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.); to surpass; to be more than; to be better than
to stand, walk, etc. shoulder-to-shoulder; to be on a par with
reasonably; fairly; hurriedly; in a rush; approximately; about
splendid; magnificent; utter (esp. defeat); total; (arch.) something worth seeing; (arch.) sight
to allow; to let (somebody) do; to make (somebody) do
to start slowly; to lag behind
copy; photocopy; blurb on a book jacket; catch copy
of course; certainly; naturally
signalling with the eyes; exchanging looks; winking
essential; important; crucial; vital; main
business; thing to be done; something that should be performed; information that should be conveyed
exceptional; praiseworthy; laudable
to catch; to stop the blow; to react to; to take (advice, etc.); to accept
as a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth; to be honest; frankly
September; ninth month of the lunar calendar
leaving; going home; quitting one's job; free time; leisure
to blink (one's eyes); to wink; to bat
comfortable (to live in); snug; cosy; cozy
unthinkable; unexpected; absolutely not!; far from it!; (it was) no bother at all; not at all
to raise one's voice; to lift one's voice; to speak emphatically
neck; head; dismissal; discharge
(your) words; what you say; what you have said; a few words (of welcome, advice, etc.)
happy; glad; pleased; joyful; delightful; gratifying
(many) mountains; very much (wanting to do something one cannot); greatly; so many; a lot of
(what) the heck; (why) in the world; one object; one body; one form; one style
is it?; isn't it?; be; is
rural area; countryside; the sticks; hometown
equipment; facilities; installation; accommodations; conveniences; arrangements
knowledge; awareness; consent; acceptance; forgiving; pardoning
bad; poor; poor (quality); inferior; evil; sinful; ugly
economic; financial; economical; thrifty; frugal
not non-existent; not completely lacking; there is some; certainly existent
putting money aside; savings; deposit (e.g. in a bank); accumulated surplus of wins; wins in the bank
slowly; quietly; steadily; soon; momentarily; before long
to run out of; to dry up; to be depleted; to hit the bottom; to bottom out
why; oh; no!; quit it!; stop!
to notice; to become aware; to be scrupulous; to be attentive; to recover consciousness; to come to oneself
guarantee; security; assurance; pledge; warranty
passion; enthusiasm; zeal