to take the initiative; to forestall; to beat to the punch
details; particulars; longitude and latitude; warp and weft; warp and woof
exclusive possession; sole ownership; monopoly
puzzling; tangled; complicated; complex
to spread; to propagate; to popularize; to broaden; to extend; to widen
monopoly; monopolization; exclusivity; hogging; keeping to oneself
profit; gains; benefit; advantage; grace (of God, Buddha, etc.) (esp. as attained through rightful actions, prayer, adherence to one's faith, etc.); blessing
unfathomable; inestimable; immeasurable
middle; centre; center; midpoint; heart
both ends; either end; both edges; double-mindedness; sitting on the fence
to enclose; to surround; to shelter (e.g. a criminal); to shield; to keep (e.g. a mistress); to store (vegetables, fruit, etc.)
not worth considering; out of the question
defense; defence; guard; policing; security
operation (of machine); operating; running; working
speaking of ...; when it comes to ...; as for ...; if one were to say ...
dwarf (esp. in folklore or fantasy literature)
going in and out; entering and exiting; visiting regularly; frequenting; income and expenditure; incomings and outgoings; increase and decrease
means of making contact; intermediary; go-between; connections; influence; pull
person concerned; people involved (in an event); those concerned; staff
person with a lot of experience; old hand; veteran (in a particular field)
dangling heavily; swaying to and fro; strolling; rambling; idly; lazily
(courteous) invitation; call
employee; worker; laborer (labourer); blue-collar worker
dozens; scores of; decades
to employ; to hire; to charter
I'm told; is what I heard; is how it is, apparently; is what they said
peace; security; tranquility; tranquillity
development; growth; development (of a situation, story, etc.); advancement; playing around; having an active sex life
house (e.g. of Tokugawa); family
at the very beginning; first of all; first and foremost; before anything else
all kinds of things; various things; large number of people
to deliver; to forward; to send; to report; to notify; to file notice (to the authorities)
mwahahaha (evil laughter)
to be lazy; to be slack; to feel dull; to feel languid; to feel listless
tension; mental strain; nervousness
to open one's heart; to throw off reserve; to be frank
rate; ratio; profit; assignment; 10%; unit of ten percent; match