to resonate emotionally (with one); to strike home (words, etc.); (lit.) to stab in the chest
to bend by twisting; to twist; to contort; to distort (e.g. the truth); to twist (e.g. someone's words)
obstruction; hindrance; blocking; disturbance; interference; interruption
original; unique; distinctive; independent; one's own; personal
intelligence network; information network
black; dark; blackish; suspicious; criminal; darkened and dirty; sooty
worn-out; ragged; crumbling; dry and crumbly; falling (in drops or clumps); scattering
in range; within the limits (of ...); within (a) range
(social) position; status; standing; position (in a company, organization, etc.); post; rank
as one pleases; irresponsibility; free-for-all
to trap (into a difficult situation); to put (in a fix); to capture (a castle, fortress, etc.); to take; to drop (something) into
to use one's influence; to pull strings; to take measures; to make the necessary preparations
to apply pressure (on); to bring pressure upon; to lean on
Achilles heel; one's weak point; shin
manufacturing cost; production cost
abundant; ample; plentiful; lustrous; glossy
top notch; first rate; top-of-the-line; leading
small part (e.g. in a film); bit part; extra
closing credits (of a film, TV show, etc.); end credits
guest appearance in a film or play through a friend; special appearance
drop in the bucket; pittance; chicken feed; insignificant amount; (lit.) sparrow tears
ease of use; user-friendliness; usability; utility; convenience
disadvantage; drawback; demerit; bad point; minus
majority; more than half; most (of); mostly; largely; mainly
to invest in; to sink money into; to put into; to lay out (funds); to inject; to impregnate
vehement objection; bitter opposition
to stay on; to remain; to hold out; to stop (doing); to give up
to suddenly understand (esp. on basis of experience or memory); to come to mind; to recall (in a flash); to be reminded of; to call to mind; to think of
to conceal; to keep secret; to cover up
sad; miserable; unhappy; sad; lamentable; deplorable
astonished; shocked; amazed; astounded; aghast
early unofficial job offer; informal promise of employment
to cancel; to withdraw; to retract; to take back (words, etc.); to revoke
seeming like an excuse; seeming like a justification; defensive; in an apologetic tone
last moment; eleventh hour; platform made of dirt used to perform executions (decapitations) in the Edo period
(apparently) that's what it's like, isn't it; that sort of (thing mentioned immediately prior)
intentional; deliberate; contrived; artificial
to press a question; to cross-examine
censure; denunciation; (verbal) attack; blaming
powerless; weak; lacking physical strength; incompetent; lacking ability; powerless
to curse; to put a curse on; to detest intensely
even (e.g. even a child); as long as (it is, you are, etc.); (if) only; just
philosophical view; looking at philosophically; long view; farsighted view
special training; intensive training; crash course
drinking party; get-together (usu. involving alcoholic drinks)
crying oneself to sleep; giving up in frustration; accepting meekly; being compelled to accept a situation