obstacle; impediment; hindrance; handicap; impairment; disability
process; procedure; sequence; protocol; instruction
to trample down; to devastate
change; alteration; substitute; rate of exchange
to be fragrant; to smell (good); to stink; to smell (bad); to glow; to be bright
clearing one's throat; cough
good story; heartwarming story; good prospect (e.g. marriage, business)
to tell; to announce; to declare; to pass (a sentence); to order
within the next couple of days; in a day or two
withdrawal; revocation; repeal; demolition; removal
to be cleared of a charge
newly born imperial prince; newly constructed (branch) shrine
to darken; to get dark; to be clouded; to be hidden (behind clouds)
guardianship; guardian; (theatrical) assistant; prompter
addressing (someone) without using a suffix such as "-san" or "-chan" (considered impolite)
blame; censure; rebuke; reproof
to pay no attention to (while listening); to take no notice of; to ignore; to let go in one ear and out the other
force; unit; corps; squad; troops; party
road; path; route; way; distance; journey; road (e.g. to victory)
undergoing training; learning
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
being widely talked about as a prominent prospect (for)
alumnus (alumnae); graduate; former member of an organization; former inhabitant (country, region, etc.)
making something strong even stronger; solidifying something's chances; (lit.) (giving) a metal rod to an ogre
to be needed; to be wanted
to look away; to avert one's eyes
curtain; hanging; bunting
little less than; slightly fewer than; just under; weakness; the weak
waste (of money, time, etc.); squandering; frittering away
near one's knee; (by) one's side; (at) one's hand; place under the protection (of one's parents, etc.); (under) the care (of); territory of a powerful person
being outnumbered (e.g. in a military context)
to take flight; to disappear
to be in the firing line; to bear the brunt of (an attack, criticism, etc.); to face (e.g. questioning)