what percentage; what ratio; what rate; what proportion
long time; long interval; for quite some time
one of two (possibilities, alternatives, etc.)
otherwise; or else; if not
goblin; apparition; monster; ghost; phantom; spectre
several weeks; a few weeks
guess; conjecture; surmise
that kind of; that way; that move; that trick; that game
announcement; presentation; demonstration; displaying; showing; introducing
to pick up; to adopt (e.g. a proposal); to accept; to take away; to confiscate; to deliver (a baby)
certain; some kind of; some sort of; of sorts
to praise extravagantly; to lionize; to lionise; to make much of
January; first month of the lunar calendar
gradually; steadily; slowly; little by little; step by step; by degrees
dark clouds; threatening signs; ominous indications
to hang over; to shroud; to enshroud; to envelop; to screen
unable to stomach; sticking in one's throat; displeased with
putting into operation; invocation
serious condition; critical condition
to chase; to run after; to follow (a set order, a trend, etc.); to drive out; to get rid of; to drive (e.g. a herd)
abuse; misuse; perversion
to push in; to force into; to break in (e.g. into a house); to intrude
robbery; pillage; seizure; hijacking; plunder; extortion
last week; the week before
thoroughly; completely; severely; harshly; (arch.) scattered; (arch.) disconnected
cruel; heartless; violent; intense; very bad; terrible
manner of speaking; mode of expression; way of saying something
whole life; a lifetime; all through life; (the only, the greatest, etc.) of one's life
majority; more than half; most (of); mostly; largely; mainly
to quit one's job; to resign
of bad character; ill-natured; nasty; vicious; wicked; malignant
taking a philosophic view; looking at the long term; farsightedness
to ill-treat; to bully; to torment; to be tough on (e.g. one's body); to treat harshly