to measure; to weigh; to survey; to conjecture; to infer; to surmise
prior investment; upfront investment
business; enterprise; venture; (social) project; undertaking; enterprise
face; official stance; public position or attitude (as opposed to private thoughts); ceremony for the erection of the framework of a house
security; guarantee; collateral; guarantee (e.g. of safety)
trade; buying and selling; trafficking (e.g. of humans, arms, drugs); dealing
request; commission; entrusting (with a matter); dependence; reliance
information leak; data breach
(wanting something so badly that) one can almost taste it; (lit.) a hand reaches out from one's throat
one's own discretion (idea, responsibility)
buying (of stock, materials, etc.); purchasing; stocking; laying in; procurement
absorption; giving undivided attention; devoting oneself (to)
to contain; to comprise; to hold in the mouth; to bear in mind; to understand; to express (emotion, etc.)
merchant; trader; expert (in a trade or profession); professional; woman working in the nightlife business (bar or nightclub hostess, geisha, etc.); demimondaine
to fly about; to flutter about; to flit about; to fly past each other
from the standpoint of; from the viewpoint of; on; above; the best; top
cost of raw materials; raw material cost
sale; sales; selling; marketing
(handling) fee; charge (e.g. for a cancellation); commission; brokerage
one's share; one's portion
adding (an extra amount); increasing; tacking on (a charge)
to take (something) along; to bring with one; to carry (something) away; to bear
extra (charge, fare, etc.); premium; bonus; (after a number) tenths increase
dismissal (of an employee); discharge; firing; layoff
hard-to-overcome obstacle; high hurdle; (lit.) thick wall
work (film, book); production; creation; turning (something) out
to be on track; to be going to plan; to enter orbit
my goodness!; good lord!; holy cow!
before one's eyes; under one's nose; immediate (e.g. interests); present; foresight; near future
to throw out; to drop; to toss; to abandon; to neglect; to dismiss
insurance; guarantee; warranty
with a momentary flash of light
shallow thinking; superficial view; insufficient consideration
riddled with holes; full of holes; full of flaws; full of loopholes; faulty
... is the reason; ... is my excuse
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.)
but; however; provided that
beginning; start; first (in line, etc.); origin; such as ...; not to mention ...
ordering (materials); placing an order; order
book; document; calligraphy (esp. Chinese); penmanship; handwriting; letter