on bad terms; at loggerheads
to ward off (e.g. an attack); to fend off (e.g. a question); to elude; to evade; to dodge; to turn aside (e.g. a joke)
one step higher; one better; cut above; one up
to wedge one's way in; to push in (between); to step in (between); to interrupt (a conversation, quarrel, etc.); to intervene
to try and judge a person's feelings (from their expression)
the law of the jungle; the strong prey on the weak; the weak become the victim of the strong
to go back to square one; to make a fresh start; to be back where one started
parsimonious spirit; tendency to be frugal; inclination to scrimp and save; tendency to fuss over trivial things; worrier's disposition
someone (something) not to be trifled with
to take a step backward; to retreat a step; to back up
diamond; (railway) schedule; timetable; diagram
(raw) ore; unpolished gemstone
self-assessment; self-evaluation; self-rating; self-esteem
perfect score; full marks; perfection; grading out of a hundred; grading on a scale of 0 to 100
just; justifiable; right; due; proper; equitable
clearly; plainly; distinctly; decisively; flatly; definitely
product; produce; result; fruit
presence (e.g. of an observer); observation; trading session (at an exchange); rising from a crouch to charge; initial charge
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
in good health; healthy; skilled; proficient; master; expert
common; ordinary; conventional; customary
to interfere (with); to hinder; to be hindered (from doing); to become impeded; to have difficulty; to suffer inconvenience
to draw a line (between); to make a distinction (between); to distinguish (between)
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
in preparation (for); in case (of); in the lead-up (to)
to wither (of flowers, dreams, etc.); to wilt; to droop; to shrivel; to fade (away); to sag
to fire (from a job); to sack; to dismiss
trap (for catching animals); snare; trap; trick; ruse
extreme sadist; very sadistic
young and sweet; adorable; cute; pitiful; touching; pathetic
young people (ages 12 to 25); youth; the younger generation; persons under the age of 18
winding; meandering; wriggling; wiggling; waving; swaying
trembling (with fear, anger, etc.); shivering (with cold); shaking; quivering
to dribble; to spill; to suspend; to hang down; to slouch
vigorously (ripping, tearing, scratching, etc.); roughly; (eating) with a crunch; stiff; starchy; (working) hard
exhilarated; all smiles; tickled pink; pleased as punch
(not) at all; (not) a bit; (not) in the least; (not) in the slightest
secret admirer; closet fan