ill-natured; mean; nasty; sadistic; cruel; mean-spirited
outspoken; forthright; frank; direct
thousands; several thousand
to rank next to; to come after
corresponding to (in meaning, function, etc.); being equivalent to; appropriate; suitable; to be proportionate to; to be in keeping with
echo; reverberation; sound (esp. the distinctive sound of an object or activity, e.g. rain, gun, gallop, drum); noise; quality of a sound (e.g. a fine phrase, clear voice, resonant bell); feeling of a sound
to become sulky; to become irresponsible (due to disgruntlement)
mutually; with each other; reciprocally; together; both
to be suspicious of; to be doubtful of; to be dubious of
to raise one's face; to lift one's head; to raise one's eyes
on closer reflection; on second thought; come to think of it; actually
crossing swords; competing against; contending with; fighting against
to carry to extremes; to go to the end of something; to investigate thoroughly; to master
sad; miserable; unhappy; sad; lamentable; deplorable
to hug someone close; to hold someone tight; to embrace closely
at once; right away; promptly; on the spur of the moment
to hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby); to embrace; to have sex with; to make love to; to sit on (eggs); to brood
a long way off; matter for the future; not going to happen anytime soon
growth; development; growing up; growth (of a company, the economy, etc.)
stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
important; serious; valuable; precious; serious matter; major incident
time; season; period; phase; stage
still; much more; (not) yet; still a long way to go; still a long way off; not there yet
apple (fruit); apple tree (Malus pumila)
of inquiring mind; eager to study; enthusiastic in studying
it is assuredly (that)...; can say with confidence that it is...
year in, year out; always; 24-7
to strain or exert oneself; to go all out
place where one works; construction site; working area
to be reminded of; to call to mind
lately; recently; nowadays
(one's) superior; (one's) boss; the higher-ups
to grow taller (of people)
through; throughout; through (the good offices of); by way of
ruffled (hair, brush bristles, etc.); unkempt; dishevelled; idling away time; dawdling; dilly-dallying