(not) by any means; (not) for anything; wouldn't do for anything; had enough; flatly refusing
to send flying with a kick
taking great pains (to do); making every effort; having a lot of trouble (doing); racking one's brains
to be interested in; to take an interest in; to care about
traditional; customary; conventional
to oust; to dethrone; to drive down (e.g. into a valley); to chase down; to capture (a castle); to seize (by driving out the garrison)
stagnation; tie-up; standstill; congestion; delay; accumulation
retrogression; reversal; relapse; doubling back; backtracking
formation; molding; making (up); repair (e.g. with plastic surgery); replacement; -plasty
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
incompetent; no-talent; worthless person; dimwit; incompetence
immediately; as soon as possible; as quickly as possible
hardening; fortifying; pledge; vow; defense; defence
ambition; aspiration; desire to improve oneself
(feeling) impatient; irritated; irritating; frustrated; frustrating; vexed
design (on a banner); emblem (on a flag); insignia; banner (e.g. of democracy); slogan; cause
plan; policy; means; fifth principle of the Eight Principles of Yong; right upward flick
model; (good) example; exemplar; model handwriting; model drawing; copybook
distinctive of; characteristic of; uniquely applying to; but; except; without
flexible; lithe; soft; calisthenics
to be too late; to be too slow
up to now; so far; traditional; conventional; usual
self-deprecation; self-derision; self-mockery; laughing at oneself
not worth considering; out of the question
persistence; single-mindedness; sticking to one point; always making the same bet
direction; orientation; suited to; suitable for; tendency; inclination
general idea; concept; notion
(home) tutor; private tutor; private teacher
gossipy; abusive; critical; jabbering
criminal; lawbreaker; wrongdoer; offender
to take great pains; to make every effort; to rack one's brains; to be concerned; to worry
impossible to understand; impossible to decipher
calculation; self-interest; selfishness
abolition; discontinuance; discontinuation; repeal; annulment
how should I put it?; what shall I say?; well, you know; like
to thrust at someone (e.g. a weapon); to point (a gun, knife, etc.) at; to hold up threateningly to (someone's face); to present forcefully (demand, document, etc.); to confront someone with (evidence, facts, etc.); to force upon
troublesome matter; burden; difficult task; chore; hassle