superficially polite but actually rude; rude under a veneer of politeness; courteous on the surface but insolent at heart
knob; handle; snack (to have with a drink); side dish; a pinch (e.g. of salt); (file) handle
malicious; vicious; malignant; shoddy; inferior; poor-quality
guest; visitor; customer; client; shopper
to work (for, at, in); to be employed (at); to finish (a term); to serve (e.g. a sentence); to conduct (a ceremony); to perform (a Buddhist memorial service)
to bring into the open; to reveal; to uncover (e.g. evidence); to bring to light
behaving outrageously as though there were no one around; acting without consideration for others; arrogance; audacity; insolence
outward appearance; ostensible; public; official
supervision; control; superintendence; director; superintendent; supervisor
negligence; carelessness; incompetence; mismanagement
machination; secret plan; plot; trick up one's sleeve
prejudice; bias; distorted view
to overhear; to hear (secondhand); to hear on the grapevine; to know by hearsay
with a light pull; with a gentle tug; with a small motion
to be lazy; to be slack; to feel dull; to feel languid; to feel listless
unnatural; artificial; false; forced (e.g. smile); empty (e.g. compliments)
to say in other words; to put another way; to express in different words; to reword; to rephrase
pent-up resentment; grudges and hard feelings
bottomless (bucket, etc.); unbounded (good nature, optimism, etc.); boundless; imprudent; indiscreet; extremely heavy drinker
salt; common salt; hardship; toil; saltiness; cold
granny; grandma; gran; old lady; old woman
to do without being seen (by); to do behind (someone's) back; to do without the knowledge of (e.g. one's parents)
(private) secretary; treasured book; secret book
to stop writing; to put down one's pen; to close (a letter)
to follow (someone) around; to cling (to); to dog; to hound; to harry; to pursue
to be prepared to flee; to become restless; to become agitated
stupid; meaningless; worthless; hopeless (person, situation); beyond help; beyond saving
along with; in line with; following; due to; as a result of; in accordance with
labor; labour; manpower; working force
chain; series; connection; linkage
good news; glad tidings; gospel (teachings or revelations of Christ)
domestic affairs; internal administration
political measures; policy
absence; disregard; indifference
famine; crop failure; chronic shortage (e.g. of water)
young child; toddler; child over 1 but not yet of school age
prediction; prejudgment; presupposition; foregone conclusion
person concerned; person qualified; person in question; party; litigant (legal)