just before; just prior to; right in front of; just in front of
once and for all; completely; spotlessly
erasure; striking off; crossing out; cancellation; deletion
science fiction; sci-fi; SF
mental condition; state of mind; mentality
no sooner than; as soon as; immediately after; at the thought of; when I think about
specific; particular; designated; specifying; designating; identifying
tendency; trend; inclination
to grab (someone) by the collar; to seize (someone) by the lapels
with a collapse; with a slump
moment by moment; hour by hour
had better ...; had better not ...
emphasizing (a point, argument, etc.); stressing; insistence; arguing strongly (for, against)
to chew thoroughly; to bite (e.g. one's lip); to reflect upon; to digest
to thrust at someone (e.g. a weapon); to point (a gun, knife, etc.) at; to hold up threateningly to (someone's face); to present forcefully (demand, document, etc.); to confront someone with (evidence, facts, etc.); to force upon
unprepared; careless; imprudent; indiscreet
inquiry into; enquiry into; prying (into); investigation; search; exploration
overly familiar; overfamiliar; too friendly; too free; cheeky
automatic transmission; AT; achievement test; alternative technology; appropriate technology; auditory trainer
since some time ago; for some time; for quite a while
earthling; earthman; terrestrial; citizen of Earth
Chinese "star" constellation (one of the 28 mansions); Singapore
thickly (of smoke, steam, etc.); stiflingly (hot air); suffocatingly; pungently
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it,...; I mean
vague; fuzzy; elusive; slippery
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
enchantingly beautiful flower; bewitching beauty
depravity; corruption; degradation
essence; kernel; spirit; pith
enchantress; seductress; vamp; siren
calmness; composure; presence of mind; stability; steadiness
crucian carp (Carassius spp.)
this (very thing); this precisely
hill; hillock; rolling hills; foothills
development; growth; development (of a situation, story, etc.); advancement; playing around (sexually; esp. of a male homosexual); having an active sex life
foundation stone; cornerstone
various countries; various regions; various provinces
to make one's name well known; to gain much fame
to float in the air; to be unfinished; to be unsettled; to be undecided
to grovel; to go down on one's hands and knees
to redeem (from sin); to save
how should I put it?; what shall I say?; well, you know; like
dejectedly; dispiritedly; despondently; gloomily