laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
certain; sure; doubtless; I have no doubt; You can depend on it; It's a safe bet
to try to unsettle someone; to throw off balance
to feign ignorance; to pretend to be ignorant of; to play innocent; to brazen it out
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
(one) matter; (one) item; (one) case
hand; arm; handwriting; penmanship; 'shake' (command to have a dog place its paw in your hand)
to be ill; to suffer from; to worry about; to be concerned about; to have trouble doing ...; to be unable to ...
I'm sorry; (it's) inexcusable; thank you very much (for help, etc.)
(not) anything; (nothing) at all; and everything else; and all; (not) at all; (not) in the least
now that you mention it; come to think of it; that reminds me; on that subject; speaking of which
to resemble; to look like; to be like; to be alike; to be similar; to take after
entering; setting (of the Sun); containing; content; income; beginning
going; travelling; act; action; bank; counter for banks; counter for groups or parties of people
highway (esp. one existing from the Edo period); main road; highway (e.g. to success); path (to becoming ...); subdistrict (in China)
to run at full speed; to run and run; to try one's hardest
results; record; grades; marks
outstanding; excellent; exceptional; preeminence; distinction; extraordinariness
actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.); (on) site; (on) the ground; filming location; (movie) set
(company) director; executive; top management; important post; role with heavy responsibilities
chair; stool; post; office; position
to sit; to squat; to assume (a position); to hold steady; to hold still
by all means; at any cost; whether (one is) willing or not; willingly or unwillingly; on no account; by no means
aspiration; volunteering; desire; application
large store; large-scale store
interval; period of time; among; between; good opportunity; chance
hard struggle; strenuous effort
finally; at last; ultimately; in the end
very best quality; superior quality
single; solo; solitary; just one; only one
crisis; critical situation; emergency; pinch
to go out to meet; to receive; to welcome; to accept (e.g. as a member of a group or family); to call for; to summon
at that time; at that moment; then; on that occasion
of all (things, people, places, days, etc.)
opposition; resistance; antagonism; reverse; opposite; inverse
fault; error; going poorly; being disadvantageous; un-; non-
achievement; feat; meritorious deed; distinguished service