behind closed doors; behind-the-scenes; (under the veil of) secrecy
(husked grains of) rice; staple (product, etc.); necessity
chief; main; principal; major
to weaken; to grow weak; to be downcast; to be dejected; to be troubled; to be at a loss
toxin; poisonous substance
absorption; suction; attraction
to rock; to shake; to swing
(another's) daughter; young lady
speech; words; one's lines; remarks
smoothly; easily; readily
not serious; frivolous; insincere; unsteady
difficult to ...; hard to ...
inexpert or untrained eyes
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
to keep company; to listen to; to associate with; to play against (e.g. a team); to take on (e.g. a rival)
interception (email); wiretap; bug
great difference; big difference; wide margin
to be overawed; to be overpowered; to lose the mental battle
to pull; to tug; to draw (attention, sympathy, etc.); to attract (e.g. interest); to draw back (e.g. one's hand); to draw in (one's chin, stomach, etc.); to draw (a card, mahjong tile, etc.)
instant; moment; for an instant
situation; (present) state of affairs; circumstances
serious; severe; grave; acute
complete; completion; perfection; accomplishment
surely; clearly; without a doubt; in all probability; no matter how one slices it; no matter how one looks at it
to be forestalled; to fall behind; to be one step behind
to have (urgent) business; to have something one needs to attend to; to have something one wants to say (to someone)
clever; smart; sharp (ear, etc.); sensitive; discerning
to take a long hard look at; to look (someone) full in the face
expectation; anticipation; purpose; intention; others' opinions of one; speculation
to bring near; to bring close; to let go near; to associate with; to bring (people) together; to let come near (of a person)
(good) result; outcome; fruits (of one's labors); product; accomplishment
even though; despite; when
to weigh on one's mind; to be worried about (something)
to control; to take the lead in; to have under one's thumb
appearing ...; looking ...; way to ...; method of ...ing; form; style
ill-natured; mean; nasty; sadistic; cruel; mean-spirited
to give a little chuckle; to let out a giggle
ordinary person; member of the general public; non-celebrity
judging from; on the basis of; from the point of view of
bad person; villain; scoundrel; wrongdoer; wicked person
bad guy; villain; evildoer; scoundrel