back-facing; backwards; backward-looking; retrogressive; reactionary
to visit frequently; to haunt
means of making contact; intermediary; go-between; connections; influence; pull
distance; journey; itinerary; path (e.g. to one's goal); way; process
the Alps; range of high mountains
climbing to the summit; summiting
to be at a complete loss; to be without recourse; to be completely stymied; to have absolutely no idea what to do
part; assigning (allotment of) parts; role; duties
face with no make-up; unpainted face; true face (of a country, celebrity, etc.); real face; sober face; sobriety
staying up late; sitting up late at night; keeping late hours
person who always wants to make a good impression; pretentious person
in good condition; in fine shape; glib; slick; harmonious; melodious
to live through hell; to go to hell and back; to suffer dire straits
tempering (metal); annealing; forging; toughening; disciplining; training
(written) appeal; circular; manifesto; encouragement; encouraging words; letter of encouragement
with a snap; (break) cleanly; (reject) sternly; flatly; smartly (e.g. of dressing up well)
to serve (in a bowl, on a plate, etc.); to dish out; to pile up; to heap up; to administer (medicine, poison); to dose out; to put into (e.g. information in a report, meaning in a statement)
big-shot; influential person; happy face; smiling face; sympathetic attitude; getting along with
in person; personally; directly
foothold; footing; toehold; stepping stone
to have a bad time; to go through a bitter experience; to get into trouble; to get hurt; to suffer
anonymous report; (secret) information; tip-off; informing (against)
to be upset; to lose one's composure; to lose self-control; to put in disorder; to mess up; to disturb
when; how soon; how long until
to come out (e.g. hair); to fall out; to collapse (e.g. building, floor); to be left out; to be omitted
January; first month of the lunar calendar
almost every day; almost daily
exhibition; exposition; expo; fair
unshapely; ill-formed; misshapen; awkward; clumsy
repair; mending; fixing; servicing
setsubun; last day of winter in the traditional Japanese calendar (usu. February 3 or 4) on which a bean scattering ceremony is held; last day of any season (according to the traditional Japanese calendar)
being obtrusive; being conspicuous (in a bad way)
Shuten-dōji; mythical Japanese oni (demon) who lived on Mt. Ōe
invitation; introduction; temptation
to run out; to rush out; to start running; to begin to run; to break into a run
nature; natural constitution; innate disposition
to flicker; to quiver; to waver; to sway
bugling (sound); honking; grumbling; complaining; car; automobile
repulse; repelling (e.g. the enemy); driving back
unconcerned (about); unbothered; unworried; easy; simple