pushing forward (undaunted); pushing on (toward a goal); striving (for)
creating a (favorable) environment; laying the groundwork; setting the stage
so-so; passable; now, now; there, there; my, my; oh my!
to take (preventive) measures; to come to an agreement (in bargaining, etc.); to strike a bargain; to clap one's hands together
to imitate; to follow; to copy; to emulate
cheers; bottoms-up; toast; drink (in honor or celebration of someone or something); drinking one's glass dry
(one's) quota; assignment
order; rank; position (e.g. in a race); precedence
with a sting; with a tingle; nervously; tensely; with a rip; with a ripping sound
for better or worse; for good and bad; regardless of merit; both good and bad
wide-open; frank; open; candid
placid; composed; serene; big-hearted; broad-minded; magnanimous
comfortable (to live in); snug; cozy; cosy
talk (esp. by a talk-show host, or by a stage musician to the audience between songs); banter; talk show; toque
to unfold; to unroll; to open
bottle; jar; decanter; flagon; phial; vial
to lie in wait (for); to be on the watch (for); to wait (for); to watch (for)
raw; uncooked; natural; as it is; unprotected (sex); raw; live (i.e. not recorded)
interruption; suspension; break
pouring alcohol; person pouring alcohol for guests or customers (typically a woman); (apprentice) geisha; dancing girl
helping oneself to a drink; pouring one's own drink
a glance; a look; a glimpse
obstinate; stubborn; mulish; die-hard; bigoted
bottled beer; bottle beer
somehow; without knowing (it); unconsciously; unthinkingly
stubbornly; firmly; determinedly; obstinately; resolutely; adamantly
clearly; plainly; distinctly; decisively; flatly; definitely
companion; fellow; group; company; member of the same category (family, class)
to come along; to come around; to turn up; to arrive at the present; to get where one is; to have been doing something (for a period of time)
a family; a household; (one's own) style; school; gang; (yakuza) family
to move (house); to change residence
to resemble; to look like; to be like; to be alike; to be similar; to take after
one's youth; early life; one's early days; one's early years
generous; broad-minded; big-hearted
attractiveness; charm; amiability
in a positive sense of the word; in the best sense of the word; in a good way
(philosophy of) not rocking the boat; (principle of) letting sleeping dogs lie
to drain; to pour; to float (e.g. logs down a river); to set adrift; to wash away; to carry away; to broadcast
bitter smile; wry smile; strained laugh; sarcastic laugh
just like that; quite so; I agree; that street
insight; discernment; perception; perspicacity; acumen