Vocabulary

to tighten the purse strings; to tighten one's belt

doing someone a disservice by showing too much partiality; overly favouring someone to their detriment

extremely indigent; extremely poor; in dire poverty; as poor as a church mouse

to be in imminent peril; to be in imminent danger

to miss a big chance; to miss a good opportunity; to let one's enemy slip away

truly ashamed

the absolute basics (esp. in educational contexts); most basic of basics; most fundamental thing

unique; peerless; invaluable; priceless

to make a wish (to a god); to pray (for the fulfilment of a wish)

(meshes of) the law; net of the law; justice

to wear (one's hat) on the back of one's head

Fat Thursday

beautiful appearance of a woman

to live in peace (of the people)

in crowds (of spectators); in great numbers

to work hard; to keep one's nose to the grindstone; to whip a jaded horse

even an outstanding person becomes inferior when getting old

delicious

to feel goodwill (towards); to wish someone well

to push someone (towards); to encourage someone

to file; to rasp; to use a file

to dismiss (an employee); to discharge; to let go; to fire

to open (up) a Pandora's box

beyond one's control; nothing one can do

to follow custom; to conform (convention, tradition, etc.); to toe the line

to go by the rules; to observe the regulations

to side with the winner; to ride (someone's) coattails; to get on the bandwagon

to be the leader of a group of juvenile delinquents

to have a stomach ache

to probe someone's real intentions; to sound someone out; to try to fathom someone's thoughts

to support; to back up; to side with; to take sides

to understand fully; to be convinced; to be satisfied

to have an acute sense of smell

to gain strength; to have energy

don't complain until the job is finished; the end crowns the work

pubic hair

quick to seize an opportunity

the eight doctrinal patriarchs who expounded the teachings (Nagarjuna, Nagabodhi, Vajrabodhi, Amoghavajra, Yi Xing, Huigo and Kukai) (in Shingon)

the Eight Lineage Patriarchs who received the transmission of the teachings, leading back to the Vairocana Buddha (Vairocana Buddha, Vajrasattva, Nagarjuna, Nagabodhi, Vajrabodhi, Amoghavajra, Huigo and Kukai) (in Shingon)

to get change back