abstinence from alcohol; temperance; prohibition of drinking
the truth; fact; as it is; as you are; frank; bare plain
racketeer; thug; rogue; bully; fixer
to meet; to meet up; to rendezvous; to join (of roads, rivers, etc.); to flow together
to misperceive visually; to misread; to mistake for something or somebody else
forwarding agent; carrier
carrying in (esp. heavy objects, artwork, furniture); bringing in; taking in
to act timid (about doing); to show diffidence; to feel ashamed; to feel guilty
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
getting carried away; going too far; overdoing
trader; dealer; businessperson; fellow trader; people in the same trade
two classes; double; two sets
magnetism; magnetic force
cobra twist; abdominal stretch
to pay the bill; to settle an account
fast-talking; rapid talking
famous product; special product; speciality; specialty
springy (texture); doughy; elastic
current obsession; current kick; personal obsession
spirit; sprite; energy; vigor (vigour); fine details; semen
drinking party; get-together
simmer; bubble out; flow out
face; honour; meld; lineup (of players participating in a mahjong game); attendees (e.g. at a meeting); members
greedy; grasping; tightfisted; predatory (e.g. business); calculating; avaricious
breathily (while talking)
pinioning; binding arms behind the back
whole; all; general; gross; entire; overall
you could say; you might say; verging on the
to have both; to possess both; to combine with
not at all; don't worry about it; forget about it
to enter (house, room, etc.); to step in
surely; certainly; without doubt
main purpose; primary objective
highly virtuous monk; monk; Buddhist solitary; Buddhist missionary; saint (i.e. a virtuous person); (arch.) emperor; master
mysterious thief; phantom thief
anyone; anybody; everyone; everybody; whoever
under repair; out of service