Vocabulary

if anything; conversely; putting it the other way around; coming at it from the opposite angle

no matter what; whatever happens; in any situation; rain or shine

casting away one's vices or worldly desires and achieving enlightenment

being over one's head (in debt, etc.); being up to one's neck (in debt)

butt of a joke; punchline

to be hurtful

to be hurtful

to resonate emotionally (with one); to strike home (words, etc.)

to resonate emotionally (with one); to strike a chord; to be gut-wrenching

to resonate emotionally (with one); to strike a chord in one's heart

to emphasize; to attach importance to

laughter breaks out

to complain

something like that; sort of like that; similar to that; in that vein

ill-natured; mean; mischievous; nasty; unkind; teasing

like father, like son

to sit up straight; to straighten one's posture; to straighten up

afterwards; at a later time; later on; after some time

the apple doesn't fall far from the tree; like mother, like daughter; like mother, like son

right away; without delay; as soon as possible; very soon

any moment now; any minute now; as soon as possible; right away

to have all the fun; to get the better part of the deal; to get the easy life

cultural appropriation

there's no (other) way

don't push yourself too hard; don't force yourself

confused; chaotic; jumbled; upside-down

confused mess; utter confusion

to resort to violence; to perform a drastic act

to become inclined (to do); to be in the mood (for); to get excited (about); to take an interest (in)

to inform; to give notice; to tell in advance; to ask for permission (before doing something); to ask first

only recently; just recently; only yesterday

to pray; to say a prayer; to offer up a prayer

kola tree (Cola acuminata, etc.); cola tree

a little difficult; slightly hard

to be widely recognized; to be famous

(in) her way; peculiar to her

being unfamiliar with a locality; not knowing one's way around

to step on a landmine

to give oneself to (esp. of a woman to a man); to surrender one's body

when it comes to the cause; when you get right down to it; as for what started it; as for the reason; originally