very interesting; of absorbing interest; having a keen interest (in); being immensely curious (about)
easy; likely to ...; have a tendency to ...; easy to ...
to pass through; to pass by; to pass (of time); to elapse; to have expired; to have ended; to exceed
unintentionally; unconsciously; by mistake; heedlessly; against one's better judgement (judgment)
to tease; to make fun of; to poke fun at; to make a crack about; to chaff; to kid
deplorable; regrettable; disappointing; vexing; unfortunate
tone (of voice); manner of talking
tedium; boredom; dullness; to feel bored; to get bored with; to get tired of
to like; to love; to be fond of
to grab; to clutch; to catch hold of (someone); to stop (e.g. a stranger in the street); towards (someone); at (someone)
to be open (to traffic); to lead to; to flow (liquid, current); to pass; to be understood; to be comprehended; to be honored
somehow; how; in what way; why; what kind of
story; tale; talk; discussion
good; excellent; fine; nice; pleasant; agreeable
to bite at; to snap at; to jump at (e.g. an offer); to snap at; to hold on to; to cling to
expressly; especially; taking the trouble (to do); intentionally; deliberately
to pay attention to another's needs; to attend to; to fuss about; to take into consideration
oh; ho; exclamation of surprise, admiration, etc.; hoo (owl call); toot (sound of a flute)
inner thoughts; real intention; at heart; deep down; inner center (centre)
diligently; seriously; perfectly; properly; sufficiently; satisfactorily
direct; immediate; personal; firsthand
to teach; to instruct; to tell; to inform; to preach
introduction; presentation; referral; listing
to begin to open; to come out; to smile broadly; to come apart at the seams (clothes)
one turn; spinning around; complete change; reversal; (an) about-face
very fast; in a twinkle; before one's eyes
frantic; frenetic; inevitable death; brinkmate (inevitable checkmate)
clearly; plainly; distinctly; to be clear; to be definite; to be certain
as it is; as one likes; because; condition; state
suitable; proper; appropriate; perfunctory; half-minded; sloppy
to fabricate; to invent; to make up (a story); to cobble up; to put together in a hurry
point; gist; essentials; knack; trick; the ropes
I fear that it's likely that; with all due respect
both; both sides; both parties
hit; success; guess; prediction; affability; friendliness; sensation
real intention; motive; true opinion; what one really thinks
slowly (but steadily); gradually; bit-by-bit; slowly soaking in; slowly permeating; oozing out
to cry; to weep; to sob; to howl
tidal hour; right time; favourable opportunity (favorable)
appeal (e.g. to public opinion); plea; appeal (e.g. sex appeal); attractiveness; appeal (e.g. in baseball); emphasizing (strong points, etc.)
smallish; on the small side
place; situation; position; location
to put one's hand on; to touch
to disturb; to upset; to ruffle; to stir up; to mess up
after all; because; but; even; too; as well