empty seat; unoccupied seat; vacancy; vacant post
as (e.g. "do as one is told", "as we age we gain wisdom"); wherever (e.g. "wherever my fancy took me")
in a whisper; in a low voice; in undertones
what's the matter?; what's wrong?; what happened (to) ...?; what have you done (with) ...?; where is ...?
low birth; humble origin; lowly; base; vulgar
to be seized with fear; to be intimidated; to lose one's nerve; to be frightened; to get cold feet; to chicken out
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
really; truly; indeed; good grief
period; epoch; the times; those days; oldness; ancientness
now that you mention it; come to think of it; that reminds me; on that subject; speaking of which
interesting; fascinating; amusing; funny; enjoyable; fun
rumour; rumor; report; hearsay; gossip; common talk
illegitimate child; secret love child
what; how; what (a) ...!; how ...!; surprisingly; to my amazement
no!; no no!; no, not at all
to the last; persistency; thoroughness
to come together; to merge; to fit; to match; to be profitable; to be equitable
I see; that's right; indeed
large; big; great; prominent; -sized; as big as; university
activity (esp. energetic); great efforts; conspicuous service; to flourish; to participate actively; to play an active role
strategic arrangement of go stones; opening moves; preparation; preparatory steps; groundwork
beforehand; in advance; previously
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); just like (someone)
seeming to be; appearing to be; like; similar to; in order to (e.g. meet goal); so that
beyond this point; from now on; after this
that gentleman; that lady; he; she
peace; security; tranquility; tranquillity
as is; as it is; as things are; like this; this way; at this rate
to draw back; to sink; to be set back (e.g. from a road); to withdraw (e.g. from the public eye); to retire to (somewhere)
wait-and-see (situation, stance, etc.); waiting to see (how things play out); watching developments (before acting)
to miss (a train, bus, etc.); to fail to keep up with (e.g. the times); to be left behind by
share; portion; quota; cut
to decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abate
at the very beginning; first of all; first and foremost; before anything else
careful thought; consideration; deliberation; reflection; rumination; pondering
appropriate time to do (something); occasion when (something) must be done
hurriedly; in a hurry; in haste
whispering into a person's ear
to change; to alter; to transform; to reform; to revise; to amend
indication; denotation; designation; instructions; directions
to give (esp. to someone of lower status); to bestow; to provide; to afford; to assign; to cause