last moment; eleventh hour; platform made of dirt used to perform executions (decapitations) in the Edo period
to be helpful; to be useful
hardening; vulcanization; hardening (of attitude, stance, etc.); stiffening; upturn (in the market); firming up
heart; guts; nerve; central part
to the utmost; to the best of one's ability
defense; defence; safeguard; protection
busyness; a lot of things to do; frequent use; heavy use (of); many uses
zero; 0; nought; nothing; zilch
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that...
too; also; still; as before; even so; either way
to lend; to loan; to rent out; to hire out
awfully; frightfully; desperately; violently; unduly; extremely
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
intention; wish; purpose; mind (to do)
... is the reason; ... is my excuse
to face (each other); to be facing; to be directed toward (the future, etc.); to be in response to; to receive (a client, etc.); to compare with
tedium; boredom; dullness; to feel bored; to get bored with; to get tired of
provocation; stirring up; arousal; excitement; stimulation
dog (Canis (lupus) familiaris); squealer; rat; loser; asshole; counterfeit
cat (esp. the domestic cat, Felis catus); shamisen; geisha; wheelbarrow; clay bed-warmer; bottom; submissive partner of a homosexual relationship
to move; to shift; to inspire; to rouse; to change; to alter; to operate
to be sullen; to be offended; to be huffy; to be stuffy; to be stifling; to be muggy
measuring by feel; adjusting by feel; doing by feel; adapting to the situation (one's strength, strictness, etc.); making allowances; using discretion
this time; now; next time; another time; recently; lately
seriousness; earnestness; truth; sanctity
to just appear; to be half out; to be on the tip of one's tongue
to have a cramp; to twitch; to stiffen (of a face, expression); to freeze; to shrink (of skin, due to a scar); to tauten
regret; repentance; remorse
My goodness!; Good lord!; Holy cow!
to begin to say; to start talking; to broach (a matter); to be the first to say; to suggest (doing); to propose
no!; no no!; no, not at all
to look up at; to raise one's eyes; to look up to; to admire; to respect
forcibly; against one's will
to draw in; to take in; to retract; to withdraw; to take back (e.g. words)
important; significant; precious; valuable; careful
to hit hard; to punch hard; to give a hard blow; to wallop; to sock
piece; slice; cloth; sharpness; agility; counter for scraps, pieces, etc.
to be ...-ing; to have been ...-ing
coercion; overpowering; to overpower; to overawe; to daunt