the matter you have been talking about
I'm afraid to say; I'm sorry to say; unfortunately
telephone call; telephone (device)
to cut off; to cut up; to tear to pieces
to make trouble; to rock the boat; to make waves; to aggravate a situation
course (of events); development; progress; market order; order without limit
outbreak of an illness; onset of an illness; appearance of symptoms
often; again and again; over and over again; repeatedly; frequently
looking depressed; long face
influence; clout; leverage
block votes (e.g. of a labor union, labour union)
certain; sure; definite; reliable; sound; solid
being elected; being selected (to win a prize, etc.); winning (in a lottery, raffle, etc.)
disadvantage; handicap; unfavorable position
as one expects; as one wants; to one's satisfaction; as one sees fit
to lead (a) life (usu. preceded by the type of life)
domination; rule; direction; management; control (e.g. over one's emotions); determining (e.g. one's fate)
to plan; to form a plan; to scheme; to envision; to intend to do
to understand; to make out
scaffold; scaffolding; foothold; footing; foothold (e.g. in business); foundation
leather strap binding the plates of traditional Japanese armor (armour)
to borrow; to have a loan; to rent; to hire
for some reason or other; somehow; whatsitsname; what-you-call-it; and so on; and you know the rest
(abstract) symbol; emblem; representation
to set up (in high position); to kick upstairs; to hold sacred; to worship
application; request; petition
degree of familiarity; popularity
black curtain; wirepuller; mastermind; backroom manipulator
front stage; center stage (of politics, etc.)
to encourage; to cheer; to raise (the voice)
severe; harsh; stringent; rigorous; strict; unfair
to grow timid; to cower; to become perverse; to become contrary; to be cramped; to be constrained
it's different when ... but; it's not so bad when ... but
violence; oppression; high-handedness; tyranny; despotism
to come to nothing; to be in vain; to lead nowhere
meeting; rendezvous; romantic encounter; date
table; chart; list; memorial to an emperor
unit; denomination; credit (in school); in units of (e.g. "in thousands"); in amounts of
closely (packed, lined up, etc.); tightly; densely; (work) sufficiently
blink (of eyes); wink; twinkling (of stars); flicker (of light); blink (of light)