plausible; believable; solemn; dignified; serious
starting point; starting line
to steam (food, towel, etc.); to be hot and humid; to be sultry
because of; on account of; regarding; per; apiece
sharp ear; long ears; ability to remember everything one hears
space alien; alien; extraterrestrial being
to read and understand; to take in; to sense from external cues; to read (someone's) mind; to read (calibration, tape, etc.); to scan (bar code)
if you think about it; come to think of it
to finish; to get it over with; to settle; to pay back; to get along (without something); to make do with (without)
that's true; of course; obviously
sneakily; secretly; stealthily; on the sly
in advance; beforehand; previously
contract; compact; agreement
weir; bonds; fetters; ties of obligation
to tie; to bind; to fasten; to restrict (freedom); to tie down (with rules, regulations, etc.); to fetter
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that...
right in the middle (of); midst; height
to open one's mouth (to talk); to (start to) tell
at one's feet; underfoot; gait; pace; most recent; current
to insert; to put in; to have a griping pain; to flow in; to shine in
lattice; latticework; window bars; grid; grating
form; shape; state; condition; letter; correspondence
(stand to) attention!; standing at attention
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears
to lower the curtain; to come to an end
busy; hurried; confused; flurried
mental condition; state of mind; mentality
to emit a voice; to emit a sound; to be able to speak
to notice; to recognize; to recognise; to become aware of; to perceive; to realize
asking; enquiring; searching; looking for
hypothesis; supposition; assumption; tentative theory
opposite side; other side
leading part; leading actor; leading actress
direct connection; direct link
minimum; lowest; minimal; least
quick work; (clever) feat
leaving a decision to someone else (often of a meal to be selected by the chef); omakase