several years; a few years
study; library; den; home office; reading room
gaudy; showy; garish; loud
refined; genteel; graceful; decent
furnishings; implements; equipment
owner; proprietor; possessor (e.g. of talent, beauty, etc.)
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
to meet; to face someone; to co-star; to appear together; to be matched; to face against
good health; stopping misfortune; preventing disaster
illness (usu. excluding minor ailments, e.g. common cold); disease; bad habit; bad behaviour; crazy; insane
to shun; to avoid; to ostracize; to neglect; to distance oneself from; to give the hard shoulder
older half-sister (by a different mother)
quarrel; dispute; argument
to make oneself available (free)
to get someone to say; to make someone say; to let someone say; to let someone speak out; to make a sound
childhood friend; friend from infancy; old playmate
great (quantity, amount, etc.); huge; enormous; serious
to lend an ear; to hearken; to give an ear to; to listen carefully
to ask; to enquire; to inquire; to search; to look for; to look into
person who has rendered distinguished service
to turn up (of evidence, etc.); to become known; to be arrested; to be caught (of a criminal); to be moved to a higher position (of a body part); to be raised (e.g. of a hand to ask a question)
depending on; as soon as; immediately after; as (e.g. "as one is told", "as one wishes"); whatever (e.g. "whatever is at hand"); order; program
to be brought forward (e.g. by three hours); to be moved up; to be hasty; to be rash; to quicken; to speed up
to brave a danger; to take a risk
to withdraw; to leave; to retire; to back down; to give up
to compare; to make a comparison (between); to compete (on); to measure (one's strength, ability, etc. against another's)
to open up (to someone); to become unreserved; to lower one's guard; to become friendly (with); to feel at ease; to take a relaxed attitude (to)
to establish; to formulate
what would (you) do?; what to do about it
to be of benefit; to be beneficial; to be useful; to do one good; to be good for one
paying back a favour; repayment (of an obligation, kindness, etc.)
(temporary) closure of school
meeting (face-to-face); seeing; visit; interview
to make time; to carve out some time (to do something)
just as (each) one likes; as (each) one pleases; as (each) one prefers; (each) in one's own way
wholeheartedly; with heart and soul; intently; with undivided attention; with intense concentration; single-mindedly
the other day; a few days ago
to bring in; to take in; to approach (someone) with (a proposal, offer, problem, etc.); to bring; to bring (to another stage); to take (e.g. to court, to extra time, to a play-off)
to speak frankly; to put things bluntly
aim; object; expectations; prospects; something that can be relied upon; snack served with alcoholic drink; pad