taking a seat; sitting down (in one's seat)
to start the debate; to get the ball rolling; to fire the first shot; to start a conversation
performer; entertainer; celebrity
primary cause; main factor
to look down on; to make light of
to creep in; to steal in; to sneak in
to be rested; to feel at ease; to repose; to be relieved
gradually; slowly but steadily
departure; leaving; going away; recession
king; queen; monarch; the Crown (as a focus of authority in the UK, etc.); the throne
to take an aggressive position; to stir up trouble
creed; belief; conviction; article of faith
to grab attention; to attract notice; to be eye-catching
rate; ratio; comparatively; contrary to expectations
to incline; to lean; to devote oneself to; to concentrate on; to ruin; to squander
had enough; flatly refusing; wouldn't do for anything; begging pardon
communication with the dead
calculation; counting; (dealing with) figures; cardinality
superficial; apparent; seeming; surface; cosmetic
we'll cross that bridge when we get there; we'll think about it when the time comes
to hunt out; to flush out; to round up; to impress; to recruit
dirty; filthy; disordered; messy; indecent (language, etc.); dirty
damp; humid; wet; gloomy; melancholy; depressing
to receive permission; to leave (with someone's permission); to retire; to refuse; to beg off doing
a day after the fair; (at a) stage when it's too late
until something reaches the very limit; until the very last minute; up to the breaking point
indeed; really; truly; very much
to play a leading role; to play a central part
small-format paperback book; pocket paperback
demolition; taking down; dissolution (of an organization, company, etc.); breaking up; dissection (of a body); dismemberment
cooking; food preparation
to fry; to saute; to stir-fry
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to deep-fry
peerless; unparalleled; unparallelled; mowing down the enemy
looking on; remaining a spectator
to take for granted; to assume; to pretend (to be); to pose (as); to go through with (what one decided to do); to persist in doing