character (in a play or novel); dramatis personae
omitting (reluctantly); leaving out; dropping; giving up (reluctantly); parting with; sharing
clothing; costume; outfit; garment; dress
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
someone working behind-the-scenes; scene shifter; lady consort (to a high personage)
speech; words; one's lines; remarks
clearing one's throat; cough
candidacy; standing as a candidate; bidding (to host an event, e.g. the Olympics)
to raise one's hand; to surrender; to raise one's hand to someone (as a threat to strike); to become better (at something); to improve; to throw one's hat in the ring
everyone; anyone; no one; nobody
on a stage; on a platform; on an altar
to avoid (physical contact with); to avoid (situation); to ward off; to avert; to put aside; to move out of the way
natural; reasonable; obvious; usual; common; ordinary
failure; mistake; blunder
to be embarrassed; to lose face
sensible; clever; smart; decent; tasteful
invitation; solicitation; canvassing; canvasing; inducement; persuasion
to teach; to instruct; to tell; to inform; to preach
unfortunately; sorry, but ...
first come, first served; the early bird catches the worm
afterwards; at a later time; later on; after some time
recommendation; referral; endorsement
not a chance; not likely; oh no; yuck; fault; defect
slow; time-consuming; late (in the day); towards the end (of the day or night); later (than expected or usual); late
to remove; to eliminate; to eradicate; to exclude; to except
to be affected; to be influenced; to be concerned with; to have to do with; to stick to (opinions)
often (happens); tend to; be apt to; be likely to
expectation; anticipation; prediction; forecast; conjecture
to be hit; to strike; to touch; to be in contact; to be equivalent to; to be applicable; to be right on the money (of a prediction, criticism, etc.)
to raise oneself up to one's full height; to strike a daunting pose
to triumph; to be elated with success
challenging; defiant; provocative; aggressive
precipitous; rugged; inaccessible; grim; severe; stern
sharp (blade); pointed; sharp (pain); stabbing; perceptive; keen
to play a hand game (e.g. rock, paper, scissors)
delightful; satisfying; gratifying; brisk; piquant
feeling refreshed; feeling relieved; neat; tidy; frank; open-hearted; completely