strictly according to the rules; very conscientious and careful, neglecting no detail

To agree lightly or without giving serious thought; often used in the negative to politely express disagreement.

to struggle on while at death's door; to barely manage to stay alive or keep a failing situation going

to live without dignity; to barely sustain oneself; to survive just for the sake of surviving

to politely disagree or find it difficult to agree with someone's views

careless; perfunctory; doing things in a muddled or sloppy way

serious in speech and manner; not speaking or laughing casually; often used to describe someone who is dignified, stern, or unapproachable

(idiom) to drift through life and survive by any means without purpose or dignity; to just get by instead of living with value or meaning

not lax; not casual; careful and serious in one's work or behavior

To seek temporary peace or comfort without regard for the future; to be content with the status quo rather than striving for improvement.

To swarm like flies around rotten food and live like a dog; describes resorting to any means for profit or leading an undignified life without shame.

seeking only immediate ease and comfort without making plans for the future or trying to improve oneself; to live in a fool's paradise

to obtain something improperly or unscrupulously; to gain through unfair or casual means without regard for principle or effort

Follow the old ways and just get by without making any effort to improve; perfunctory and unimaginative in handling things.

(literary) to preserve one's own life at all costs; to barely survive or keep oneself alive in difficult times

to luckily escape disaster; to shirk or avoid responsibility that one should rightfully face

to barely manage to survive; to drag out a meager existence; to drift through life for the time being

(literary) if not for; had it not been for; if it were not

not even one stroke is negligent; to write characters where every stroke is placed perfectly

(literary) carelessly or excessively brief; overly simple or crude

To shamelessly seek personal gain by fawning over powerful people; to be obsessed with self-interest like a dog or a fly.

careless or improper speech; rash remarks

(idiom) to compromise one's principles to please others and simply get by; to act as a sycophant for the sake of one's own safety or position

To be content with temporary peace and safety in a small or isolated area, especially while the rest of the country is in danger; to settle for a small territory instead of resisting invaders.

to agree with others without principle just to please them and be accepted; to readily subscribe to another's view without serious thought

To be careful about what one says; to speak with caution and not speak casually.

(literary) to shamelessly accept gifts or benefits; to extort or take as a bribe

to have illicit sexual relations; to live together or have an affair without a legal marriage

don't forget your friends or those who helped you when you become wealthy or successful