smelting furnace; blast furnace
to come to nothing; to be in vain; to lead nowhere
reveal of how a trick is done; disclosure of a secret (cause, source, etc.); exposure; explanation
main spindle; main shaft; linchpin; pivot; principal axis; main axis
to threaten; to terrify; to frighten
the very best; excellent; superb
(a) step ahead; (a) jump ahead
related to; in relation to
quite; utterly; (not) at all; completely; wholly; entirely
no matter what; whatever you say; in the end; after all
rash; thoughtless; imprudent; careless; frivolous
limitation; restriction; condition; constraints
large serving; large portion
(not) at all; (not) a bit; (not) in the least; (not) in the slightest
gambling den; gambling house
beyond help; past salvation; incorrigible; irredeemable
no sooner ... than ...; hardly ... when ...; as soon as
decisive moment; turning point; critical moment; win-or-bust situation
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
passionate; fervent; affecting; moving; touching
to spell; to write; to compose; to bind (e.g. documents); to patch
day by day; by the day; (arch.) daily; (arch.) every day
shorthanded; short of hands; undermanned; insufficient (stock, money, etc.); in short supply; low
being rampant; domination
accidental; incidental; occasional; casual
going around in circles; circling a temple; roll-call vote
to weigh on a scale; to weigh up options; to compare pros and cons
to open one's eyes wide (in astonishment, wonder, etc.); to be wide-eyed; to be amazed
to be left in the dust (of); to be outdone (by); to be subordinate (to); to play second fiddle (to); to take second billing (to)
dark; gloomy; somber; depressing
dark clouds gather; threatening signs emerge; trouble is afoot
being quick-eared; having sharp ears; being first to know about something
(mental) agony; anguish; suffering; distress
proposal; offer; request; application
news (from somebody); letter; contact; (somebody's) whereabouts; (somebody's) movements
part of the garden close to the house; nearby garden
trickling (of water); flickering (of fire); darting about (e.g. a small animal); scampering about
better than none at all; better than nothing
ideal; perfect; most suitable; just right
ray of hope; glimmer of hope