to play a leading role; to play a central part
at any rate; anyhow; anyway; in any case; because
one act (of a play); scene; event
centripetal force; unifying force; cohesive power
to recover; to rally; to improve; to carry in a different way; to change one's grip (on); to shift (a bag, etc.) from one hand to the other
handy; convenient; suitable; reasonable; moderate
frame for drying clothes; clotheshorse
rod; pole; neck (of a shamisen, etc.); shamisen; beam (i.e. the crossbar of a balance); single line (esp. as a flying formation for geese); penis
point in question (at issue)
to be fit (for a role); to be qualified (for); to be equal (to a task); to be able to fulfill one's duties (as)
quarrel; dispute; argument
connection; link; relationship
military intervention; armed intervention
to have a rumor circulating
to swallow; to gulp down; to understand; to grasp; to engulf; to swallow up
secrecy; confidentiality; one's circumstances (esp. fiscal); kitchen
to show one's age (e.g. to start creaking at the joints); to wear out (e.g. machinery)
traffic; transportation; communication; exchange (of ideas, etc.); intercourse
property; fortune; means; assets
engine; agency; organisation; system; facility
mum; mom; mummy; wifey; dear; missus
narrowness; being cramped; being almost full
unexpected (but welcome) visitor; rare guest
to close one's eyes partly; to squint; to smile with one's whole face; to smile sweetly (at); to look fondly (at)
elder sister; older female friend
brat; kid; urchin; little devil
youngster; neophyte; greenhorn
to make a success in life
well connected; well known; having a large, diverse circle of acquaintances
chicken; chicken game; chicken race
continuation; continuance; going on; resuming
division of work; sharing out the work; splitting into groups (e.g. to search for someone); separating into parties
fiercely fought contest; close game (match, race, etc.); dead heat
to remake; to remold; to remould; to convert; to reconstruct; to adapt