waste of time; killing time
preparatory phase; preparatory period
materials; data; document
comparing and adjusting; reconciling; lapping; precision surface finishing; margination
important point; strategic position; key point
origin of an affair; spark that lit the fuse; beginning
border; boundary; turning point; watershed; area; region
to supply (goods, money, etc.); to cover (costs); to pay; to give board; to provide meals
(enter into, be in) a state of war
broke; poor; short; skint; having no money
state of reduced activity; lull; state of abeyance; stable condition
to become public; to become known; to come out in the open; to be formal; to be official
sound of pistol fire; sound of exploding gunpowder; exchange of (pistol) fire; shootout; conflict
the front (of a battlefield); forefront
the problem (at issue); the point at issue; problematic issue; problem
to pilfer; to filch; to pocket; to make off with
injustice; unfairness; wrongdoing; iniquity; impropriety; irregularity
to chase away; to drive away; to drive out
spread (e.g. of a disease); rampancy; infestation; proliferation; being widespread
senility; senile decay; infirmity (through age)
old person; senior citizen; the aged; the elderly
powerful medicine; strong poison
neighbour to the left (person, building, etc.)
to take to defending oneself above all; to save one's skin
wise; sagacious; intelligent; sensible
stretching a rope around; roping off; one's turf; domain; territory (of an animal)
moving from place to place; being passed around repeatedly; rolling about
to have something on someone; to catch someone out; to trip someone up; (lit.) to grab by the tail
trifling with; toying with; playing with; tossing about (a ship)
vindication of honour; vindication of honor; making up for loss; revenge
decline; degeneration; decay; waning; ebbing
to attack a routed enemy; to sink the boot into; to pour salt on a wound
addict; junkie; substance abuser
assault; outrage; act of violence; rape; sexual assault
splash; spray; chance blow; by-blow; getting dragged into (a quarrel, etc.)
wharf; bridge; jetty; pier