rural area; countryside; the sticks; hometown
one person; being alone; being by oneself; being single; being unmarried; by oneself
to carry on one's back; to burden oneself (e.g. with debts, responsibilities, etc.)
to smash; to crush; to shut down; to put out of business; to wreck; to break; to butcher
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
to a greater or lesser extent (degree); more or less
to be seen from the point of view of an onlooker
to hang up (e.g. a coat, a picture on the wall); to let hang; to put on (e.g. a blanket); to put on top of; to put on (glasses, etc.); to wear (a necklace, etc.); to make (a call)
groping (for); fumbling around (for); searching (for an answer, solution, etc.); trying to find
to subsist; to keep on living
explanation; interpretation
to catch; to capture; to grasp (e.g. meaning); to perceive; to captivate; to move (one's heart)
just kidding; not!; ersatz; imitation; phony
place to put something; storage space; storehouse; depository; repository; shed
suitable; proper; appropriate; perfunctory; half-minded; sloppy
to go; to come; to turn out (at a meeting, event, etc.); to show up; to make your way to
whether or not; presence or absence
salty; calculating; stingy; scowling; grimacing; hoarse
third day of the month; three days
successfully; fairly; artfully; nicely; thoroughly
to press against; to push against; to force against; to foist on (task, responsibility); to impose (one's will)
newsprint; newspaper used for wrapping, packing, etc.; newspaper
heavy outfit designed to keep out the cold
is something wrong?; what's wrong?; what's the matter?; slightest; mere; trivial
to get back together (with a former partner)
privately; with outsiders barred; en famille
clear one's name; redeem oneself; clear (vindicate) one's honor (reputation)
study; diligence; discount; reduction
perseverance makes one stronger; slow but steady wins the race
commercialization (e.g. product); commodification