to come to the point; to get straight to the point; to speak frankly; to speak plainly; to talk straight
prior investment; upfront investment
slightest notice; slightest consideration; slightest attention; a little thought; glance
no!; no no!; no, not at all
abundant; plentiful; rich; ample
head-on; to one's face; squarely; directly; flatly (e.g. refuse)
promotion; raising of status
criterion; standard; yardstick; rough estimate; approximation
society; the world; the times
to keep one's temper; to maintain one's composure; to remain calm; to keep presence of mind; to preserve one's equilibrium
to stiffen; to become stiff; to harden
to trick; to cheat; to deceive; to coax; to wheedle; to soothe
composition; construction; formation; makeup; structure; organization
royal capital; imperial capital
diving; diver; unlicensed (doctor, driver, etc.); unregistered; outsider; stranger
present age; present day; contemporary; modern era; modern times; contemporary era
to turn against; to become an enemy
to bring up a subject; to touch on a matter
one (esp. of two); the other; on the one hand; on the other hand; whereas; although
advantage; benefit; profit; interest
to suit the convenience of; to accommodate
formal; official; regular; proper; legal; due (formalities)
labor; labour; toil; trouble; pains; work
to spare; to grudge; to regret; to lament; to be reluctant (to do); to be unwilling
policy; course; plan (of action); magnetic needle
unable to stomach; sticking in one's throat; displeased with
forcing; compulsion; coercion; pushing (to do)
to discuss; to talk together
to demand gratitude; to do something for someone in order to create an obligation of gratitude from that person
high-pressure selling; aggressive peddling; the hard sell; forcing on someone (e.g. kindness)
road; path; way; set of practices; moral education; Buddhist teachings; Taoism
to one's heart's content; as much as one likes; without reserve; freely; to the full
sincerely; earnestly; wholeheartedly; repeatedly; over and over; again and again
favorable treatment; favourable treatment; hospitality; warm reception; good treatment; hearty welcome
unfortunately; regrettably
self-defense; self-defence
unfeeling; heartless; cold-hearted; cruel
law; regulation; rule; code; agreement; arrangement
head; chief; merit; strong point; superiority; major
to tear; to rip; to break through (cordon, opponent's defense, etc.); to breach; to defeat; to beat; to break (e.g. silence)
to decide; to determine; to resolve; to break and overflow (e.g. levee); to collapse; to give way
to force; to compel; to coerce; to press; to impose
foolish; idiotic; stupid; ridiculous; absurd