dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
crossing swords; competing against; contending with; fighting against
from long ago; from old times; from time immemorial
to be handed down; to be introduced; to be transmitted; to be circulated; to go along; to walk along
meddling; interference; extending a paw to drag something closer; (arch.) hand; (arch.) arm; (arch.) disfigured arm
taking refuge; finding shelter; evacuation; escape; seeking safe haven
to declare; to assert; to state definitively; to finish saying; to say it all; to finish one's sentence
to protect; to guard; to defend; to keep (i.e. a promise); to abide (by the rules); to observe
fingers; fingertips; underling; stooge; tool
making frequent appearances; appearing often; appearing and disappearing
attack; assault; raid; criticism; censure; denunciation
as a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth; to be honest; frankly
just now; a little while back; a short time ago
apparently; appears to be
safety; security; safely; without incident; good health; inaction
on the occasion of; at the time of
to break; to destroy; to wreck; to ruin; to break (a bill, etc.)
custom; practice; said; aforementioned; instance; example
fast; quick; early (in the day, etc.); premature; (too) soon; not yet
to employ; to hire; to charter
to place on (something); to give (someone) a ride; to give a lift; to load (luggage); to carry; to send out (on the airwaves, etc.); to deceive
lending (money); finance; loan; adaptability; versatility; flexibility
to be effective; to take effect; to work; to function well; to be possible (to do, use, etc.); to be able to
because of; owing to; due to
occupation (e.g. of territory); exclusive possession
to turn away; to bear off; to veer away; to deviate (e.g. of a conversation); to digress; to go astray
isn't it?; let's ...; why don't we ...; how about we ...
to come out all right; to take care of itself; to be OK
difficult voyage; hard flight; rough going; rough passage; running into trouble
alone; by oneself; on one's own
at once; immediately; without delay; promptly
being settled quickly; reaching a quick conclusion; no need to say any more; no problem
practice (as opposed to theory); actual practice; actual site; (at) the scene; (on) the spot
something or other; one thing or another; this or that
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
several people; a few people
last; final; closing; last train (bus, flight, etc.; of the day)
someone else's hands; someone else's possession; hand (worker); aide; labor; labour