just this side of; one step short of; on the brink
complex; inferiority complex; complex (of buildings, facilities, etc.)
to prick up one's ears and listen; to listen attentively
durability; persistence; stamina; endurance; staying power
to keep an eye on; to take care of
composite; combined; complex
difficult problem; challenge
one-eyed; first (in a series); initial
by hook or by crook; by all possible means
(place) out of sight; (somewhere) out of eyeshot
trigger (of a gun, etc.); trigger (for something); immediate cause
indiscrimination; without discrimination; indiscriminate
namely; that is (to say); in other words
the problem (at issue); the point at issue; problematic issue; problem
to reveal by washing the surface; to expose by washing away dirt, earth, etc.; to discover (by investigation); to bring to light; to start washing
to puzzle over; to think deeply about; to rack one's brains over (wrack)
(going) all in (in poker)
draft (for a speech, bill, etc.)
selection; sorting; culling; screening; triage
consideration; examination; investigation; study; scrutiny; discussion
measure; step; countermeasure; counterplan; countermove; strategy
preparation; provision; defenses; guard; military formation; troop arrangement
to misfire; to come to naught; to end in failure; to fizzle out; to fall flat
decisive battle of brief duration
transfer (of authority, power, etc.); delegation; devolution
private; confidential; informal; secret; (within the) family circle; (on the) inside
strict order; peremptory command
labour shortage; labor shortage; shortage of workers; shortage of hands
to count; to include in the number
limited; limiting; restrictive
compensation; reparations; indemnity; damages
to be conceivable that; to be thinkable that
merciful heart; compassion; mercy; benevolence
interview; audience; meeting; (viewing) party
to be selected (from among many people)
change; alteration; substitute; spare; rate of exchange
every evening; night after night
secret meeting; clandestine meeting