poem; poetry; verse; Chinese poem
to memorize; to memorise; to recite from memory
mediocre; ordinary; commonplace; banal
person of culture; cultured person
forcing; enforcement; forced; enforced
your Excellency; his Excellency; her Excellency
lowdown; inside curtain; inside information; hidden circumstances; inside facts; inner workings
national politics; political situation; statecraft; body politic
to control; to take the lead in; to have under one's thumb
state of things; state of affairs; condition; situation; circumstances
appropriation; misappropriation; making one's own
to destroy; to crush; to break by striking; to spoil; to ruin
to resort to violence; to perform a drastic act
antics; buffoonery; clowning; clown; jester
to act (a part); to play (a role); to perform (a play, etc.); to put on (a production); to commit (a blunder); to disgrace oneself
assimilation; absorption; adaptation; assimilation; anabolism; assimilation (phonology)
to be caught in a trap (snare, etc.); to fall for (a trick, ambush, etc.)
steel trap; foothold trap; bear trap
at your own discretion; as you see fit
both armies; both teams; both sides
member of an entourage or retinue or party; attendant
military officer; naval officer
godsend; lifesaver; timely offer; windfall
thoughtful; deep-thinking
to be truant; to slack off; to play hooky; to skip school; to cut class; to skip out
freshly-grated (e.g. daikon)
with a glitter; with a sparkle; brand new; shiny and new
accessories; small articles; minor character; small fry; weak one
sense of unity; sense of oneness
craftsman; skilled artisan
to temper thoroughly; to train well
good outward appearance; looking nice; being attractive; making a fine show
to give a command (e.g. in a loud voice); to give an order
what kind of business; what sort of matter
two times; twice; two degrees
pre-war days; before the war
to intrude; to butt in; to meddle; to be forward; to be self-assertive; to show off