blank ballot; white ballot
to be noisy; to be astir; to rustle; to murmur
estimation of votes (in an election); announcing the number of votes cast (for each candidate)
large part; greater part; people in general; general public; mostly; for the most part
as you can imagine; as imagined
given the situation; now that it has come to this; if it comes to this
one's own ground; one's own position; one's own area of the field (soccer, rugby, etc.)
taking in; bringing in; capturing (e.g. customers); attracting; confusion; bustle
and then; in addition to that; also; even so
to level (earth); to cut through (a mountain); to split (the opposition); to break (strike)
official; governmental; public (use, matter, forum, etc.); common; being public knowledge; being out in the open
(plain) hot water; boiled water
your highness; your grace; your eminence
(can you) spare a little time (to speak)?; (do you) have a moment (to speak)?
at this point; at this last moment; this late in the game
to prick up one's ears and listen; to listen attentively
sure; no mistaking it; for certain; without doubt
inner citadel; core; center; centre
certainly; without fail; right and wrong; pros and cons
true feelings; real intention; one's heart; one's right mind; one's senses; one's conscience
maneuvering behind the scenes; backroom deals; dodgy dealings
secret information; intelligence
liking; being fond of; to one's liking; to one's taste; preferred; favourite
adds vagueness and indirectness to the word or phrase it is used with
to cut deep into; to cut one's way into (an enemy position); to rush on; to press someone hard (e.g. with questions); to get to the heart of (a matter)
fair; just and upright; open and honest; aboveboard; honourable
to give; to confer; to bestow; to kindly do for one; to oblige; to favour
I shouldn't say this, but
(another's) spirit; God's heart or spirit; Lord's will
commitment; pledge; promise
to dodge (e.g. a question); to evade; to sidestep; to give (someone) the slip
clean; clear; pure; honest; clean
favour; favor; obligation; kindness; benevolence
Western Church; Western Christianity
head of a monastic institution; abbot; prior; abbess; prioress; mother superior
to make (someone) realize (e.g. their mistake); to bring (something) home (to someone); to teach (someone) a lesson
gap; narrow space between things; valley; gorge; loophole (in a castle wall); arrow slit
position (where one is standing); place where one stands; position; stance; standpoint
how; in what way; how about; questionable
government office; agency; board