as usual; as always; as ever; as before; still
withering; shrivelling; shrinking; contraction; atrophy
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
to get rid of; to erase; to dispel; to eradicate; to wipe away
gaining time; stalling for time; time-buying
to yield; to give in; to bend (knee, etc.); to subdue; to overpower; (arch.) to feel down
absolutely; definitely; unconditionally
to protect (someone); to look after (e.g. an injured leg); to defend; to cover for; to stand up for; to stick up for
antinomy; self-contradiction; either-or situation; choice between mutually exclusive alternatives
before one's eyes; in one's presence; up close; personally
point in question (at issue)
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
a long, long time ago; very long ago
(verbal) abuse; denunciation; disparagement; vilification; scathing criticism
possibly; by some possibility; perhaps
to be mistaken; to be incorrect; to make a mistake (in); to do incorrectly; to mistake (one thing with another); to confuse
to be mixed; to be blended with; to associate with; to mingle with; to join
good-naturedness; good-natured person; credulous person; easy mark
to stay within bounds; to not take (something) to extremes; to not get carried away; to not go too far
that's enough!; cut it out!; get a life!
unconsciousness; unconscious; involuntary; the unconscious
so much (something) as to (e.g. so moved as to cry); overwhelmed; carried away; because of too much
straight; straightforward; direct; straight (wins, sets, etc.); straight (liquor); neat; entering university right after graduating high school
truth; reality; seriousness; truth; printed style writing; star performer
to prick; to stab; to poke; to prod; to use (a cane); to prop oneself up with
deep down; special place in one's heart; in the back of one's mind
at this point; at this last moment; this late in the game
average; ordinary; normal
quite; very; 10^48; quindecillion
growth; development; one's early life; upbringing; personal history
last week; the week before
abdomen; stomach; (lower) abdominal region; hypogastrium
to put effort into; to strain; to put strength into; to put forth effort
companion; follower; attendant; retinue
consideration (for); thoughtfulness; solicitude; care; watchfulness; concern
to lend an ear to; to listen to
overdependence (on others; usu. one's fosterers or seniors); lack of self-reliance; presumed acceptance (of one's behaviour); presumed benevolence; attention-seeking (behavior)
end of the work day; close of business; end of the school term; end of the school year
memory; recollection; remembrance; memory; storage
to face; to confront; to be opposite to
in preparation; (shop) not yet open for business
great joy; delight; jubilation
scoundrel; rascal; villain
to pull apart; to separate; to have a lead over; to pull ahead of; to outdistance
soft and lacking firmness; weak; weak-willed; spineless; weak (market); bearish