strength of the brush stroke; power of the pen; ability to write
to fly (with great force); to blast (e.g. into the sky); to lack common sense; to be extremely surprised (by)
to see the light; to be awakened to the truth; to have the scales fall from one's eyes
inexpert or untrained eyes
depression; low spirits; luxuriant (of vegetation)
vertical line; vertical bar (symbol); bar line
censure; denunciation; (verbal) attack; blaming
to act as a go-between (for); to mediate; to arrange; to entertain (guests); to treat; to receive
granny; grandma; gran; old lady; old woman
solo exhibition; one-man exhibition; one-woman exhibition
arrears; late fee; delinquent account charge
to read out (e.g. data from a computer or process); to retrieve
people who share an interest; people of similar tastes; kindred minds
to be on the same wavelength; to think alike; to get along
practical; matter-of-fact; realistic; utilitarian; pragmatic
to be completely weakened; to be utterly exhausted; to be worn out; to be completely at a loss; to be at one's wits' end; to be greatly annoyed (by)
great success; roaring business; busy; packed-out
based on; built on; made from
to swipe; to nick; to pilfer; to greedily try to win big (e.g. in mahjong)
as if (something untrue was actually true); like hell (e.g. "like hell I will")
long time; long interval; for quite some time
another showing (of a play); playing the same role again (i.e. of an actor); recapitulation
program (musical, concert, theatrical, etc.); programme
fork; junction; diverging point; turning point (e.g. in one's life); crossroads
to wither; to wilt; to droop; to be dejected; to be disheartened; to be depressed
deep-seated; deep-rooted; ingrained
anyone; anybody; everyone; whoever
unable to stay (on); unable to endure being somewhere a second longer; feel like running away
route (bus, train, air, etc.); line; line (taken by a group, organization, etc.); policy; course
fingering an object (in killing time); amusing oneself; diversion; gambling
being boxed in on all sides; having obstacles in every direction; being at a loss (what to do); being in a fix
charm; attractiveness; courtesy; ingratiating behaviour; entertainment; amusement
sympathy; empathy; response; identification (with someone)
interest; eagerness; enthusiasm
(something) like that; that sort of; resembling; seemingly authentic; genuine-looking; realistic
to read out; to read aloud; to call out; to finish reading; to read through
talk; recital; narration; topic
to make a speech; to address
ancient city; former capital