black curtain; wirepuller; mastermind; backroom manipulator
to stop (an activity); to cease; to discontinue; to cancel; to abandon; to give up
front stage; center stage (of politics, etc.)
to stand; to rise; to find oneself (e.g. in a difficult position); to depart (on a plane, train, etc.)
last drink (of sake); last glass; last cup
clique; group; (political) faction; wing; school; sect
so; therefore; accordingly; consequently; on those grounds; that is why
factional infighting (conflict); antagonism between factions
something like ...; things like ...; someone like ...; the likes of ...
to do; to carry out; to cause to become; to make (into); to serve as; to act as; to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
unfortunately; sorry, but ...
spare time; free time; time (e.g. time it takes to do something); time off; day off; quitting (one's job); firing someone
quarrel; brawl; fight; squabble; scuffle; argument
preparation; arrangements; getting ready; provision; setup; reserving
while alive; during one's lifetime
festival; feast; harassment by an Internet pitchfork mob; online shaming; galore (as in "goals galore"); frenzy
busy; occupied; hectic; restless; hurried; fidgety
homework; assignment; pending issue; unresolved problem; open question
to tidy up; to put in order; to settle (problem); to clear (dispute); to finish; to bring something to an end
although; despite; whereas; while; if only; I wish
to make efforts; to take pains; to break a bone
remainder; remnant; (not) very; (not) much; too much; excessively
famous literary composition
indicates word or phrase being defined; used for quoting (thoughts, speech, etc.); with; (not) as much as; (not) so much as; the fact that
to say; to utter; to name; to call; to go (e.g. "the alarm went ping"); to make a noise
as usual; as always; as before; as ever; still
noisy; loud; annoying; troublesome; fussy; finicky
adds force or indicates command
self-proclaimed; self-professed; professing oneself to be; calling oneself; first person
ace (playing card); ace (of a team); leading player; ace; hotshot; ace (serve)
it is ... that ...; precisely; although; while; it is precisely because ... that ...; only because ...
to collect; to assemble; to gather
bid for popularity; publicity stunt
seeming to be; appearing to be; like; similar to; in order to (e.g. meet goal); so that
future (usually near); prospects
vote; ballot; label; ticket; tag
deep design and forethought; a farsighted and deeply-laid plan
please (give me); please (do for me)
anyhow; in any case; at any rate; at best; at most
(some) more; even more; longer; further
influence; power; might; strength; potency; force
(political) power; authority; influence
interest; rights; concession