countermeasure; counter-measure
a matter for speculation; only conjecture; just guesswork
first and foremost; above all; most importantly of all
indispensable; essential; requisite; required; compulsory; necessary
exactly; precisely; closely; tightly; properly; without fail
unwell; in a bad state; not working properly; out of order; inconvenient; troublesome
to play dumb; to feign ignorance; to play the fool; to be in one's dotage
old friend; old acquaintance
well-informed person; walking dictionary; extensive knowledge
to look daunted; to look embarrassed; to be disappointed
to wrinkle up (e.g. one's eyebrows, nose, etc.); to furrow; to crimple
research; study; investigation
existing alongside (each other); mixture; intermingling
handing down (information); legend; tradition; folklore; transmission
conclusive evidence; positive proof; definite proof; confirmation
to be enigmatic; to be puzzling; to be wrapped in mystery
to understand; to make out
crossed line; crossing of wires; crosstalk; getting mixed up (of different topics in a conversation); confusion; (talking at) cross-purposes
to proceed with things; to carry out; to do
having served one's purpose; being finished (with); business settled
to cultivate a better understanding
formal; stiff; strict; ceremonious
to open up (to someone); to become unreserved; to lower one's guard; to become friendly (with); to feel at ease; to take a relaxed attitude (to)
transmission (e.g. news, chemical signals, electricity); communication; delivery; conveyance; transfer; relay
person unfit for society; misfit
to agree on the principle; to firmly establish a policy
to refer to; to consult; to use as a reference
to turn up (hem, sleeves, etc.); to fold back (e.g. a page); to turn back; to double back; to enter (the second half; e.g. of a match); to do immediately (e.g. call back, answer an email)
body; group; party; gang; troupe; troop
taking no notice of; paying no attention to
troublesome; bothersome; tiresome; annoying
bare minimum; minimum necessary (amount, number, etc.)
to rouse anger; to provoke wrath; to offend
appointing someone to a position of trust; entrusting someone with an important position; making much of
worldly wisdom; secret of success in life
details (of an incident, event, etc.); whole story; course of events; facts; circumstances; particulars
to give up as hopeless; to wash one's hands (of someone or something)
construction; establishment
restless; fidgety; in a hurry
to move around; to move about; to get around
to finish sharpening; to bring to a fine edge; to sharpen well; to polish up