employment slump

on my mark at a different starting line

from the get-go

grab drinks with

how to present myself in

do decently

combine my connections

societal gears

at a steady pace

work setting

a cog in society

the content of my work

job satisfaction

individuality

appropriate to

take initiative

turn a profit

of that nature

resort to violence

alternate between

have a way with people

think the worst

go missing

work my ass off

self-contained

have it coming

full of memories

My eyes adjusted.

heavy-duty

safe and sound

pay the price

The beautiful rose has its thorn.

on a combat footing

indiscriminate attacks

have good cause for doing

a new trend in

like talking to a brick wall

catch on

no joke about it

tread lightly

adapt to change

get on the promotion track

enter my thirties

be highly regarded for

climb the advancement ladder

a touchstone

a section manager

scream at the top of my lungs

partner with

make too much of

punitive damages

child support

put to good use

in a productive manner

have an acid tongue

lash out at

drink straight from the bottle

go out of my way to do

pass mouth to mouth

have no pride

bottle it up

show sympathy

quench my thirst

tip over

give me closure

take a step back

behind closed doors

keep quiet about

get dragged into

as I stand by and watch

get fooled by her appearance

pierce through

Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.

run through

split up to search the area

declare neutrality

keep watch

weak spots

knock out

have my hands full with doing

take one step toward

with the worst timing possible

bide my time

open up a path

on my request

fly the coop

hold prisoner

put my hand over

have an effect of doing

put out my chest

put my hand on my hip

at zero damage

lift up the hem of

be called in from off duty

file away

take in details

gloss over

unscrew the cap of

take a long swim

a state of mind