launching; launch; end (of a theatrical run, etc.); closing party (e.g. a theater show); cast party
first; foremost; most important; best; greatest; above all
smoothly; swimmingly; forthrightly; without hesitation
apricot (Prunus armeniaca)
reality; actuality; hard fact
to throw; to fling; to hurl; to neglect; to abandon; to leave alone
opposition; rivalry; competition; antagonism
better; preferable; more; increase; (arch.) increase; (arch.) growth
always hitting the bull's-eye; infallible
summer cold (illness); summer flu
departure; departing (from ...); sending; sent (by ...); engine; counter for gunshots, bursts of gas, etc.
dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
string; cord; man who is financially dependent on a woman; gigolo; restrictions; conditions
look who's talking; you're one to talk; you can talk
Europe and America; the West
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
man; male; masculine gender
to pull up; to drag up; to increase; to raise (e.g. taxes); to withdraw; to leave; to promote (someone to a higher position)
not feeling like doing ...; having no mind to ...; being in no mood for ...; indifferent; half-hearted; dispirited
reserve; spare; treasured; valued; (ace) up one's sleeve; trump
before one knows it; before one realises; without one's knowledge; without noticing
guarantor; surety; sponsor; reference; bondsman
to all appearances; no matter how you look at it
suspicious-looking; shady; questionable; dubious; fishy
promissory note; written acknowledgment of debt; IOU
borrower; debtor; tenant; lessee; renter
how long; how far; how much
study; diligence; discount; reduction
coffee shop; tearoom; coffee lounge; coffeehouse; cafe
to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (as); to act (as); to conduct a religious service
handsome man; looker; good guy; great guy; influential person (esp. in the yakuza); sumo wrestler
to be given the cold shoulder; to be jilted; to be rejected; to be dumped
style; way; shape; form; appearance; state
another meeting; meeting again; reunion