choosing; selecting; deciding (on)
now (while the time is ripe); while one still can
declining; refusal; nonacceptance; turning down; withdrawal (e.g. of candidacy); pulling out (e.g. of a race)
it's better to; it's best to; it's safest to; you can't go wrong with; it doesn't hurt (to be young, beautiful, have money, etc.)
to attract someone's attention; to arouse someone's interest; to sound someone out; to try to find out someone's true feelings; to (discreetly) probe someone's thoughts
pitiful; pathetic; painful (to look at)
painful; heartrending; trying; oppressive; suffocating; miserable
disastrous; tragic; miserable; wretched; pitiful; woeful
one's circumstances; environment; situation (in life)
to lead; to take the lead (in doing something); to precede; to go before; to die before (esp. one's spouse, parents, etc.); to be a prerequisite
either way; in any case; one way or another
no change; no difference; no unusual events; no accidents; no incidents
above anything else; above all; more than anything; best; greatest; excellent
positive; assertive; active; proactive; aggressive
honor; honour; prestige; dignity; honorary (e.g. president, doctorate)
with a tap; with a knock; smoothly (proceed); without a hitch; even; equal
to accompany; to follow; to keep up with
relatives; one's family; friends; members of the same organization; followers; henchmen
to give (as a gift); to present; to confer; to bestow; to award
to knit; to plait; to braid; to compile (anthology, dictionary, etc.); to edit
princess; spoiled girl; hothouse flower; glue
to tailor; to make (clothing); to train; to bring up; to make it seem like; to pass off
superior; first-class; excellent; (that's) just fine!; bring it on!
to arrange one's hair; to tidy up one's hair
to line up; to stand in a line; to rival; to match; to equal
to be embarrassed; to lose face
appearing in one's finest clothes; appearing in one's hour of triumph
to see (someone) off; to escort; to watch (someone or something) go out of sight; to follow with one's eyes; to let (a bus, pitch, etc.) go by; to let pass; to postpone
teary-eyed; damp (e.g. skin, hair); moist
easy; easygoing; carefree; happy-go-lucky; optimistic; leisurely
among (other things); especially; particularly; inter alia; above all (else)
leaving (on, open, unfinished, etc.); (doing) continuously; constantly; keep ...-ing
shopping; purchased goods
to take (someone) away; to carry off; to abduct; to kidnap
cruel; brutal; ruthless; merciless; inhuman
generally; on the whole; general; rough; outline; main points
totteringly; staggeringly; unsteadily; lanky; spindly; slender