to wring (towel, rag); to squeeze; to squeeze (fruit to extract juice); to press; to rack (one's brains); to strain (one's voice); to extort
and so on; and so forth; et cetera; comment; criticism
at the last moment; this late in the game
unimportant details; inessentials
crucial; key; most important; main (point)
to vanish gradually (e.g. of a voice); to trail off; to die away; to feel one's soul leaving one's body (from embarrassment, grief, etc.); to feel faint; to feel numb
life; existence; (one's) working life; career; life force; lifeblood
to rescue from; to help out of; to save
untrodden (region, field of study, etc.); unprecedented (discovery, achievement, etc.)
our country; our land; one's own country
good; advantage; sake; purpose; consequence; result
ground-breaking; revolutionary; unprecedented; epoch-making
method; process; manner; way; means; technique
biggest; greatest; largest; maximum
just; justifiable; right; due; proper; equitable
valuation; appraisal; evaluation; appreciation; recognition; acknowledgement
to give (esp. to someone of lower status); to bestow; to provide; to afford; to assign; to cause
proper; appropriate; due; suitable
to be open (to traffic); to lead to; to flow (liquid, current); to pass; to be understood; to be comprehended; to be honored
to falter; to flinch (from); to recoil (from); to quail (at)
gap; space; break; interlude; chink (in one's armor, armour); chance
distinction; difference; separate; different; exception; exclusion
bolt from the blue; great surprise
surprise attack; surprise visit; catching a person off guard
to eat; to drink; to receive (e.g. a blow); to be on the receiving end (of something undesirable); to undergo (trouble)
plan; project; schedule; scheme; program; programme
area; vicinity; side; edge; circumstances
isn't it?; let's ...; why don't we ...; how about we ...
to look daunted; to look embarrassed; to be disappointed
bitter smile; wry smile; strained laugh; sarcastic laugh
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
from the beginning; from the first; all along; of course
to take off; to jump; to take the plunge; to decide; to step out of the ring
to offer (a suggestion, etc.); to propose (an idea, etc.); to approach with (a proposal, etc.)
even if; even though; even; too; whether ... or ...; no matter (what, where, who, etc.)
foreign; abroad; overseas
custom; practice; said; aforementioned; instance; example
have no choice; there is nothing but; no more than
moreover; furthermore; nevertheless; and yet
results; record; grades; marks
very; greatly; exceedingly
sweet-smelling; fragrant; aromatic; good (reputation, condition, results, etc.); favorable