¡¡¡¡to begin with, = in the first place, = first and foremost

¡¡¡¡what¡¯s else, = what¡¯s more, = in addition, = at the second thought,

¡¡¡¡last but not least,

¡¡¡¡frankly speaking, = generally speaking, = directly speaking,,directly or indirectly, = ,one way or another,

¡¡¡¡I will, directly or indirectly, explore the issue.

¡¡¡¡hold water

¡¡¡¡direction = compass

¡¡¡¡a hard issue to solve = a hard nut to crack