Vocabulary

may you live a thousand years

can do nothing but ...; have no choice but to ...; there is nothing to do but ...; cannot help ...

unconstrained creativity; bold and imaginative; (like a) a heavenly steed soaring across the skies

less than or equal to

greater than or equal to

(this) corrupt world; world of the living; fleeting life

to work too well (of a punishment, reprimand, etc.); to be too much (for someone); to have a stronger effect than intended

nothing comes from nothing

to throw one's weight around; to exercise one's authority; to make one's presence felt

to use one's influence

to threaten

to exercise one's authority (over); to influence

threatening (esp. voice, tone, words)

to be quick-witted; to think fast; to be shrewd

to make a false accusation; to invent a pretext for a quarrel

to grasp at straws; to resort to desperate measures

living up to (one's, its) reputation; true to the rumours; just as people say

school nurse; nurse teacher; health teacher; school infirmary teacher

to give thought to; to bear in mind; to keep in mind

Beware of Bears; watch out for bears

even better; still better

the arrogant dragon will have cause to repent; he who reaches the top is bound to fail if he is not prudent

without showing any sign of; without giving the slightest indication of; without saying anything of; without breathing a word of

satisfactory; convincing; acceptable

from here; from this place

made in (...)

to drink a bitter cup; to have a bitter experience; to suffer a defeat

an instant; a split second; no time at all

frontline (employee) feedback; voices on the ground

to agree with one; to suit one; to feel comfortable (in, with); the water agrees with one

to cook until browned; to brown; to sear

to take in pawn; to take as a pledge

to keep step (with); to keep pace (with); to move in lockstep

not existing despite seeming like it should

to have a cough; to cough

to shorten one's life (through hardship, etc.); to hasten one's death

to take things to the next level (e.g. skill); to move into a higher gear

refined; polished; elegant; sophisticated

to harden one's heart; to steel oneself; to be ruthless

please go ahead; after you