Vocabulary

Zipf's law

sigh of relief

to come to nothing; to go down the drain; to go up in smoke

to stretch (one's body)

I'm done with work (for the day); I've (just) finished work

I'm done with part-time work (for the day); I've (just) finished work

to sulk; to pout

the question remains; it comes into question

to ask elsewhere; to try another (store, service, etc.)

job satisfaction exploitation; trading off wages against "rewards"

staple product of an industry; core product

early-morning and late-night visits (e.g. by reporters)

if

dreamworld; dreamland; la-la land

timing is everything; don't jump the gun

to find the resolve (to do); to make up one's mind (with); to act on a thought

rest omitted; and so on

three Cs; three conditions that facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases (closed spaces, crowds, and close contact)

or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean

hide your true strength, and then later swiftly attack the unprepared enemy; first be like a (meek) virgin, later like a running hare

in every way; in every aspect; from every angle

repeated reading makes the meaning clear; read a difficult book a hundred times

just you wait!; I'll show you one day!; you'll see!; you'll pay for this!

(formation of) three people sleeping side by side (esp. a child between two parents); "river" character

great wealth; enormous fortune

to vacuum; to clean with a vacuum cleaner

(flee) like the wind; (run) out of sight

to loosen one's sword slightly in the scabbard

to be highly seasoned with wasabi; to be pungent

to behead; to decapitate

(on) one's own; (by) oneself

much-talked-about; recently popular; in vogue

to put out one's hand; to extend one's arm; to reach (for)

to be manageable; to be able to handle

aimlessly; without a goal

to have one's ability acknowledged by others; to be appreciated for one's skill

beauty is only skin-deep; one gets tired of a beauty in three days

uncool; tacky; lame; corny

Great Wall of Sand (Chinese land reclamation project in the Spratly Islands)

mine (ours) for the taking; something under one's full control