basics; fundamentals; basis; foundation
being average (capacity, looks) (as good as anyone); mediocrity
impressions; thoughts; feelings; reactions
rather; better; instead; if anything
to pick; to pluck; to snip; to cut; to nip
several minutes; a few minutes
to open one's mouth (to talk); to (start to) tell
interest; appeal; attraction; fun
enjoyment; pleasure; diversion; anticipation; looking forward to
one's father; one's old man; middle-aged (or older) man; old man; one's boss; proprietor (of a restaurant, store, etc.)
sitting together in a circle; happy circle; harmony
boastful speech; bragging
employee (of a store); shop assistant; clerk; salesperson
to recommend (someone to do); to advise; to recommend (a book, someone for a position, etc.); to suggest; to offer (a drink, cigarette, seat, etc.)
materials; ingredients; material (for a novel, experiment, etc.); subject matter; grounds (for a decision, judgement, etc.); basis
here and there; all around; everywhere; to get things in the wrong order (back to front); to become muddled up
to hurt; to ache; to feel a pain; to be injured; to be spoiled (e.g. food); to be damaged
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
intercept; interception; counter-attack
impossible; incapable (of doing); incompetence; inability; impotence; having no solution (of an equation)
learning; acquisition (of a skill, knowledge, etc.)
to be caught in; to be stuck in; to stop by; to drop in for a short visit; to get mixed up in (trouble); to get entangled in (a problem); to fall for (a trick)
to master (a skill); proprietor; manager; leader; chief; master (of arts, science, etc.); master (recording)
fickle; having many romantic interests
nothing new; same as always; an old story; nothing new about it; not the first time it has happened
immediately; as soon as possible; as quickly as possible
to restrict; to limit; to be restricted to; to be limited to; to be best (for); to be the best plan
stock; share; stump; (clump of) roots; plant with attached roots or stem; strain (of bacteria, etc.); stock company
slump; crash; heavy fall; sudden decline
as a matter of fact; to tell the truth
favorite (to win); favourite; likely winner; one's heart's desire; first choice
a little; a bit; slightly
sly; cunning; sneaky; crafty; unfair; dishonest
to be in high spirits; to be full of vigor (vigour); to be enthusiastic; to be eager; to stretch to breaking point
considerably; greatly; a lot
flavour; flavor; taste; charm; appeal; interest
to smack one's lips (over a dish); to eat with relish
to live up to expectations; to meet expectations