bog; marsh; swamp; quandary; dire situation from which one cannot extricate oneself; imbroglio
personal combat; one-to-one fight
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
battle; fight; fighting; engagement; contest
exhaustion; fatigue; impoverishment; (financial) exhaustion; ruin
to advance; to move forward; to carry forward (plans, work, etc.); to proceed with; to raise; to elevate
now that you mention it; come to think of it; that reminds me; on that subject; speaking of which
to get hold of; to take possession of; to seize
interruption; interference; butting in
smelling burnt; smelling scorched; smelling of gunpowder (i.e. as if armed conflict is about to break out); tense; suspicious; dubious
just right (time, size, length, etc.)
practical business; practical work experience; practicum; practice
to carry on one's shoulder; to shoulder; to bear; to bear (burden, responsibility, etc.); to take upon oneself
if so; in that case; in that situation
to withdraw from (a deal); to wash one's hands of; to lead by the hand
true character; true heart; true spirit
booking; reservation; making a booking
request; commission; entrusting (with a matter); dependence; reliance
to train; to teach; to acquire (information); to learn; to stock; to stock up on
dizziness; giddiness; vertigo
to fall (over, down); to collapse; to be destroyed (in a collapse); to collapse; to be confined to bed (with an illness); to come down with; to die
inexpensive; cheap; easy; simple
to curse; to put a curse on; to detest intensely
coolness; calmness; composure; all right; fine; OK
screw; key (of a clock, watch, etc.); spring (of a clock, watch, etc.)
book; volume; this; present; main; head
strongly; violently; quickly; suddenly
one of Japan's foremost; leading in Japan
final word; voice of authority; authoritative pronouncement
to accept somebody's challenge; to take up the gauntlet
gambling; gaming; speculation; undertaking a risky venture; (arch.) professional gambler; (arch.) gamester
shop; store; somebody who sells (something) or works as (something); somebody with a (certain) personality trait; house; roof
often (happens); tend to; be apt to; be likely to
severe (injury, handicap, etc.); serious
hypothesis; supposition; assumption; tentative theory
seed (e.g. of a plant); pip; material (e.g. for an article); matter (e.g. of a story); ingredient; leaven (bread); cause
to jump in; to leap in; to plunge into; to burst in; to barge in
to fill to capacity; to pack; to complete; to tessellate
to try; to attempt; to have a go (at something)
compensation; indemnification; reparation; consideration
to cross over; to go across; to extend; to cover; to range
duty; responsibility (incl. supervision of staff); liability; onus
newly arrived; newly joined; newly entered; newcomer