to start the debate; to get the ball rolling; to fire the first shot; to start a conversation
key word; key phrase; clue; keyword; search term; index term
incoherent; wandering; vague; rambling; whimsical
situation where alcohol is being served; (over) a drink
to have one's enthusiasm dampened; to become subdued
using one's fingers as a comb; combing one's hand through one's hair
in the belly; in one's heart of hearts
ready-made; common-law (wife)
cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
artificial product; man-made product; fiction; made-up story; decoration (e.g. for a festival); theatrical prop (esp. a large prop in noh or kyogen, e.g. tree, well, boat)
comrade in arms; war buddy; fellow soldier
to begin to appear; to begin to come in
to neglect; to ignore; to disregard; to make light of
steady; sound; stable; safe (e.g. business); reliable; trustworthy
two kinds; second-class (e.g. mail)
texture (e.g. skin, fabric); grain (e.g. wood); detail
sale; selling; selling point; gimmick; seller; vendor
return gift; return favour; revenge; change (in a cash transaction)
related (by blood); blood-related; of the same blood
witnessing; observing; sighting
somehow (or other); for some reason; without knowing why; something (or other); some ... or other
hold; catch; connection; relationship; unease; discomfort
to project; to stand out; to jut out; to go somewhere (e.g. for work); to proceed to; to leave for
until something reaches the very limit; until the very last minute; up to the breaking point
leisurely; slow; deliberate; easygoing
unable to stay healthy; ruining one's health; exceeding the limits of one's body
playing at (something); game of make-believe; something done together
(not) by any means; (not) for anything; wouldn't do for anything; had enough; flatly refusing
very fast; in a twinkle; before one's eyes
low-melting; easily thawed; soluble
ditch; drain; groove; tread; gap (between people, countries, etc.); gulf
just one person; only one
to track down; to locate; to find out; to smoke out; to ferret out; to chase up
must; should; will (surely); be bound to; will (do); shall
to sit up straight; to straighten one's posture; to straighten up
clue; lead; key; handhold; hold