publicly; openly; ostensibly; formally
to tread on thin ice; to go out on a limb; to walk a tightrope; to take risks; (lit.) to cross a dangerous bridge
to nip (something) in the bud
stealthy footsteps; walking on tiptoe
it is I who should say so
occurring in succession; doing in succession; firing in rapid succession; volley of shots; volley (of questions, abuse, etc.); stream
subtleties; niceties; fine points; subtle; sensitive
occasional; infrequent; rare
frame (i.e. of a sliding door); crosspiece; bar; sliding wooden bolt (for holding a door or window shut); rung (of a ladder)
secret medicine; secret remedy; nostrum; wonder drug; excellent remedy
heart; guts; nerve; heart (of something); central part
rubbing cheeks together (as a display of affection); pressing cheeks together
to roll; to wheel; to turn over; to tip over; to leave; to buy and sell (quickly for a profit)
no sleep or rest; working day and night
favour; favor; obligation; kindness; benevolence
unfeeling; heartless; cold-hearted; cruel
to help (someone) out of trouble; to rescue; to save
noise (usu. unpleasant); interference (e.g. radio); static; gossip; irresponsible criticism
to flatter; to toady (to); to curry favor (with); to butter up; (lit.) to grind sesame seeds
innocence; guiltlessness; absence of the fact; insubstantiality; (arch.) insincerity; (arch.) dishonesty
whim; caprice; fancy; capricious; fickle; whimsical
obvious (e.g. of a lie); transparent
one school; one sect; one denomination; one party; one faction; one group
front stage; center stage (of politics, etc.)
to devise an elaborate plan; to exercise one's ingenuity; to work out a scheme
based on; built on; made from
though imperfect; somehow; somehow or other
to lose one's senses (over); to be out of one's mind (over); to be completely captivated (by); to be smitten; to be engrossed (in)
second most severe of the five punishments of ancient China (castration for men, confinement for women)
boastful speech; bragging
ripple; ring on the water; repercussions; Japanese slit drum; instrument made of iron with slits on top; makes a rippling sound
one's circumstances; environment; situation (in life)
trump; trump card; ace up one's sleeve; secret weapon
cold-hearted; callous; unfeeling; insentient (objects); insensate; inanimate
beard (esp. on the chin); goatee
drunkenness; intoxication; motion sickness; travel sickness
to show respect for; to revere; to honour; to honor; to worship; to hold in esteem