Vocabulary

to strain every nerve; to feel nervous

to be distracted from feelings of depression, boredom, tension, etc.

to lose heart; to lose interest; to lose motivation; to be discouraged

strong-willed; strong of heart

forbidden fruit

to weigh on one's mind; to worry one; to be concerned about

to (keep in) mind; to give heed to; to pay attention to

to understand each other well; to relate to; to strike a sympathetic chord

to take a fancy to something; to be moved; to feel inclined to

to cross one's mind; to spring to mind; to occur to one

slow to act; slow in starting work

firm; flexible and hard to break; persevering

to be at a loss for words

figure of speech

to differ (in); to have different ...; to be different (in terms of ...)

to be sacked; to be fired; to be dismissed

to make a slip of the tongue; to let something slip

cannot be compared (with); being no match (for)

to be beneficial (to); to do (a person) good

necessity is the mother of invention; there is always some way out of a difficulty if you really look for one

to be possessed by an evil spirit; to be tempted; to give in to an urge; to succumb to temptation

to lower the curtain; to come to an end

educational institution; school

to take seriously; to take someone at their word; to believe (to be true)

to travel all over; to be active in places widely apart

to come to see; to come to understand; to regain sight

to be on the brink of death

to catch the eye; to attract attention

glossy black hair (of a young woman); raven black hair

being quick-eared; having sharp ears; being first to know about something

one's social position; one's place; one's standing

to be below the cost; to sell below cost

to be dismissed; to be discharged; to be fired

to disclose a secret

to betray a secret; to reveal a secret

to tie a string

to bear the expenses

on second thought; on (further) reflection

high brow; broad forehead

to put a time-limit on