to hold on to something (secret, lead in a race, etc.)
defense of one's country; defence of one's country
shield; buckler; escutcheon; pretext
faithful; devoted; loyal; honest; true
to stay indoors; to be confined indoors
to show up; to appear; to turn up
to leave (a scene); to step away
scene; setting; scene (in a movie, play); shot; state of the market
inner thoughts; real intention; at heart; deep down; inner center (centre)
instead; but (on the other hand)
fair-skinned; light-complexioned
handsome young man; Adonis
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
it is I who should say so
(in a) long time; long time (ago); while (ago); long ago; long while (ago); (in a) long while
to turn up; to make an appearance; to put in an appearance; to drop by
to come out; to appear; to turn up; to emerge
thank you; thanks; much (thanks); very (sorry); quite; really; somehow
to fish; to angle; to catch; to lure in; to tempt; to attract
oh!; good heavens!; ugh!; oh no!; ah!; the penny drops!
fishing; angling; change (for a purchase); clickbaiting; trolling; writing deliberately inflammatory posts online
(animal) feed; fodder; pet food; bait; lure; enticement
unmarried woman; Miss; -ess; -ette
it's been a long time; long time no see
to cut and even up; to cut several pieces to the same size
skin; body (in the context of intimate bodily contact); surface; grain (e.g. of wood); disposition; temperament
to approach; to draw near
good-looking guy; handsome man; hunk; Adonis; cool guy
to succeed (a person, to a position, etc.); to inherit; to patch (clothes); to mend; to add (e.g. charcoal to the fire); to replenish with
legal wife; lawful wife; first wife (in polygamous relationship)
eldest daughter; first-born daughter
with a start; in surprise; suddenly (realize, remember, etc.); all of a sudden; puffing (air); with a puff
girl who has led a sheltered life; pet daughter; naive girl; wooden block puzzle; Daughter in the Box; Klotski
bodily build; degree of fleshiness
indeed; really; very; extremely; absolutely; certainly
(arch.) like that; (arch.) as such; yeah; uh-huh
Swords and Firearms Control Law (1958)