preparatory phase; preparatory period
base (of operations); site; location; center; foothold; stronghold
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
to fall in love (with); to fall for; to be attracted (by); to be charmed (by); to forget oneself; to be entranced (by)
in swarms; in great crowds; in huge numbers; plentifully; a lot (of)
course (of a road, moving object, etc.); way; course (of events, action, etc.); direction (e.g. an argument is heading in); reasoning; logic
going out; outing; leaving (one's home, office, etc.)
to put oneself on guard; to stand ready; to square off
old tale; folk tale; legend; reminiscence
service; duty; business; Buddhist religious services
of bad omen; ill augur; boding evil; bad fortune
incompetence; inefficiency; inability; incompetent person
omen; sign of luck; origin; history; dependent arising; doctrine that everything has a cause and there is nothing that arises out of nothing
endless; boundless; innumerable; endless; never-ending; going on forever
to add (e.g. a postscript)
progress; advance; making (good) progress
middle-aged man; Buddhist priest
right arm; right-hand man; right hand; right-handed pitcher
now (while the time is ripe); while one still can
to envy; to be envious (of); to be jealous (of)
in that manner; like that
virtuous mind; good intentions; good will; positive mindset; bona fides; good faith
to beg; to ask; to request; to pray; to wish
professional; pro; program; production; proletarian; proletariat
to go through the proper procedures; to follow the required steps
to look down on; to condescend
to press against; to push against; to force against; to foist on (task, responsibility); to impose (one's will)
imposition (i.e. of rules, of a decision); compulsion
modern; current; contemporary; trendy; latest; up-to-date
boss; leader; head; boss (difficult enemy, usu. at the end of a section or level)
to stiffen; to become stiff; to harden
specialist; expert; professional; authority; pundit
ability; gift; talent; sai; traditional unit of volume, approx. 1.8 ml
protection; safeguard; guardianship; preservation; conservation
bill; bill of sale; tab (for later payment); credit; attachment; contact play; sound effect produced by striking a wooden board with clappers
firm; strong; solid; stable