Dictionary

to be total strangers (idiom)

of the utmost importance; of highest priority

to conspire to murder; to plot against sb's life

(idiom) take care of everything; handle everything

to call the wind and summon the rain (idiom); to exercise magical powers; fig. to stir up troubles

to be unable to find a solution; to be at wits' end

granulated sugar

rich and powerful

to consider everyone else beneath one (idiom); so arrogant that no-one else matters; condescending; to go about with one's nose in the air

to teach by correspondence

all previous (meetings, sessions etc)

infatuation

competitive; eagerly; to vie

attempting nothing and accomplishing nothing (idiom); without any initiative or drive; feckless

outline; essential points

making up a group, forming a troupe (idiom); in large numbers; as a large crowd

to win an honor; to strive to win a prize

the rising sun

to sob; to whimper

to fall back; to return to low level after a rise (in water level, price etc)

up here, down there (idiom); to rise and fall in succession; no sooner one subsides, the next arises; repeating continuously

wide-ranging

vast body of water; CL:片[pian4]

a bright idea suddenly occurs (idiom); to hit upon an inspiration; to be struck by a brainwave

epoch-marking

famous

to set foot on; to step on or into

varying from person to person (idiom); different for each individual

is harmful to

to wait a moment

volunteer worker; volunteer work

to contain; to accumulate; to embrace

to agree by chance (idiom); taking the same action without prior consultation; (idiom) (of two or more people) to take the same action without prior consultation; (usu. used adverbially) all (or both) of them, independently; as if by prior agreement

drought

simple and unadorned (of art, architecture etc)

to raise a tough question

lit. to mend the pen after sheep are lost (idiom); fig. to act belatedly; better late than never

to feed; (fig.) to nurture; to foster

in the ordinary course of events; ordinarily; normally

to burn with impatience; torn with anxiety

bureaucrat; official

every family (idiom)

(of a teacher) to prepare lessons; (of a teacher) to do one's lesson preparation

lit. to enter by the back door; fig. to gain influence by pull or unofficial channels; back door or under the counter connections

lit. to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits (idiom); to wait idly for opportunities; to trust to chance rather than show initiative

to change into

to settle; to set up home

to take pity on; to feel tenderness toward

military division level commander; teacher

deathly pale