straight (ahead); direct; upright; straightforward; honest; frank
contacting; (making) contact; connection (with a train, bus, etc.); joining (a railway line, etc.); connection (between matters, incidents, etc.); relation
given that ... it is only natural that ...; ... being the case, it is unavoidable that ...; (precisely) because ...; contrary to expectations ...
to restrict; to limit; to be restricted to; to be limited to; to be best (for); to be the best plan
secret; secrecy; mystery; secret (e.g. to success); esoteric teachings
(if) by some chance; by some possibility; in the unlikely event that; (unlikely event of) emergency; the worst(-case scenario)
to drop; to lose; to clean off (dirt, makeup, paint, etc.); to remove (e.g. stains or facial hair); to lose (a match); to reject (an applicant); to lower (e.g. shoulders or voice)
that road (path, street, way, etc.); that line (of business); that profession; love affairs; romance
common occurrence; everyday occurrence; not an uncommon case; normal thing; everyday affair
extensive knowledge; erudition
no!; no no!; no, not at all
older brother; elder brother
retailing; repeating (someone else's words, opinion, etc.); parroting; echoing
contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
outside the country; abroad
very high; high up; aloft; only; merely; just
decoration; ornament; trimmings
making frequent appearances; appearing often; appearing and disappearing
to take (someone) away; to carry off; to abduct; to kidnap
every person; every mouth; every entrance
this for sure; certainly is
one's heart; one's mind; one's intentions
to wind (of a road, etc.); to meander; to twist; to undulate; to surge; to swell
more and more; all the more; at last; finally; (at the) last moment; worst possible time
with my own (two) eyes; with these very eyes
to ascertain; to check; to make sure
east, west, south and north
to surround; to encircle; to besiege; to lay siege to; to play (go, shogi, etc.)
terrain; geographical features; topography
insular; closed; unsociable; exclusive
spread (e.g. of a disease); rampancy; infestation; proliferation; being widespread
to recall; to remember; to recollect
monastery; convent; cloister; abbey
to be erected; to be built
to suit the convenience of; to accommodate
open-air fire (e.g. for garden refuse); bonfire; open fire (e.g. in a kitchen)
bravery; military prowess; valour; valor
to leave the government service
to hold one's life dear; to be reluctant to die
babysitting; babysitter; taking care of; assisting; assistant