Vocabulary

usual; unchanging; eternal; same as always

positive number

negative number

to poke one's nose into another's affairs; to have a hand in; to take a (deep) interest in; to meddle in

as usual; as always; as ever; as before; still

to grant someone's request; to do a favour

to make oneself understood (in some language)

before ... days (months, etc.)

was; were

flush with money; having a full purse; having a full handbag

take it easy

in succession; one after another

to give up (something as hopeless); to throw in the towel

unpopular (with); out of favour (with); badly received

expression of gratitude

taking no notice (of); showing no interest (in); paying no attention (to); ignoring completely

room for argument

to be unable to accomplish something because one has chosen the wrong method; to ask for the impossible; to look for fish by climbing a tree

out of character; unlike one

ready (to do); willing

all over; all over the place; everywhere

first come, first served; the early bird catches the worm

no sooner ... than ...; hardly ... when ...; as soon as ...

the minute (that) ...; no sooner than ...; as soon as

cannot; must not

I would rather; I would as lief do; strong preference

better than nothing; better than none at all

better; superior

with hesitation; haltingly; falteringly; reluctantly

to work as; to pursue as a vocation

to get a haircut

to continue without end; to go on to eternity

conscious neglect; willful negligence; wilful negligence

to count on; to expect; to put confidence in; to trust in; to depend on

disentanglement puzzle; wire puzzle

never mind!; don't worry about it

stupidity barrier; stupidity as an obstacle to coming to a mutual understanding

without even asking; without even listening; without careful inquiry (enquiry)

to increase in value; to gain prestige

get away from me!