maneuvering behind the scenes; backroom deals; dodgy dealings
fascinating; voluptuous; bewitching; captivating
loveliness; charm; allure; colour and scent; color and scent
obstacle; hindrance; impediment; difficulty
being startled; getting a shock
sensuously beautiful; seductively beautiful; voluptuous
to get up (from sitting); to stand up; to (finally) start to do something; to get off one's backside; to take action
veteran; old-timer; experienced person
war; fighting; fierce competition
to shorten; to reduce; to crumple (fabric); to wrinkle; to make (one's body) smaller; to draw in (one's legs)
repetitious; long-winded; heavy (taste); (overly) rich; gaudy (colour, design, etc.); loud
it seems that ...; it appears that ...; is like ...; is similar to ...
cruel; brutal; ruthless; merciless; inhuman
mischief; prank; mischievous; naughty; pastime; hobby
foundation stone; cornerstone
to make a decision; to draw a conclusion; to give a judgement; to hand down a verdict; to let go down; to lower; to do oneself
to learn by experience; to learn one's lesson; to learn the hard way; to be discouraged (by); to have enough (of); to be disgusted (with)
to interrupt; to interfere; to meddle; to intrude; to butt in; to poke one's nose into
dissatisfied-looking; looking discontented
to fold one's arms; to link arms with someone
to straighten up and stick one's chest out; to throw oneself back (e.g. in a chair); to lean back (arrogantly); to assume a haughty attitude; to behave arrogantly
to collect; to gather; to compile; to arrange; to settle
to partition; to divide; to direct; to manage; to settle accounts; to assume a crouching posture (at the start of a bout)
to pledge allegiance; to swear an oath of allegiance; to take an oath of allegiance
rudeness; impoliteness; discourtesy; insolence
to have a limit; to go too far (e.g. of a joke)
resentment; grudge; pent-up anger; frustration; bitterness
rage; fury; exasperation; indignation
to intervene; to stop (something)
watchful waiting; careful supervision
to take for granted; to assume; to pretend (to be); to pose (as); to go through with (what one decided to do); to persist in doing
sentiment; emotions; one's feelings; one's heart
no matter for; without regard to; whatever the ...
laws (of nature); (divine) providence
ball; sphere; bead (of sweat, dew, etc.); drop; ball (in sports); pitch (e.g. in baseball); pile (of noodles, etc.)
like; similar to; something like ...; someone like ...
to doubt; to distrust; to be suspicious of; to suspect
profound; deep; unfathomable; esoteric
order; command; decree; (software) instruction; statement