"The lucky firstborn son stands to inherit much more than the cadet branches of a family." What does the expression "stands to" mean in the context above? Also, if possible, could you provide a few other similar examples? Thank you very much in advance.

Quotes from Shakespeare… […] Every man will be thy friend Whilst thou hast wherewith to spend; But if store of crowns be scant, No man will supply thy want. If that one be prodigal, Bountiful they will him call, And with such-like flattering, 'Pity but he were a king;' If he be addict to vice, Quickly him they will entice; If to women he be bent, They have at commandment: But if Fortune once do frown, Then farewell his great renown They that fawn'd on him before Use his company no more. He that is thy friend indeed, He will help thee in thy need: If thou sorrow, he will weep; If thou wake, he cannot sleep; Thus of every grief in heart He with thee doth bear a part. These are certain signs to know Faithful friend from flattering foe. What does Shakespeare mean in the part that reads “But if Fortune once do frown…”?

What does the word ''open'' mean when used in phrases such as ''break open...'', ''cut open...'', ''yawn open...'', etc? Does it function as a verb complement? I would really appreciate it if you could provide me with a few examples of the same sort. Thank you very much.

1) What is the difference between “last” and “past”? - “…Past/last hours…” - “…Past/last year…” - “…Past/last week…” - “…Past/last few days…” How do I know when I should use one or another in a sentence? 2) What is the meaning of “nigh-on” in the sentence below? “Horizon Zero Dawn's PS5 upgrade delivers a nigh-on flawless 60fps.” Thank you very much.

What is the difference between “last” and “past”? - “…Past/last hours…” - “…Past/last year…” - “…Past/last week…” - “…Past/last few days…” How do I know when I should use one or another in a sentence? Thank you very much.

How do I become a Community Tutor on italki here? Thank you very much.

“At last both slept: the fire and the candle went out. For me, the watches of that long night passed in ghastly wakefulness; strained by dread: such dread as children only can feel.” 1) What does the word “strained” mean within the context above? “Again I reflected: I scarcely knew what school was: Bessie sometimes spoke of it as a place where young ladies sat in the stocks, wore backboards, and were expected to be exceedingly genteel and precise…” 2) What do the words “stocks” and “backboard” mean in the context above? Thank you very much.

“Fearful, however, of losing this first and only opportunity of relieving my grief by imparting it, I, after a disturbed pause, contrived to frame a meagre, though, as far as it went, true response.” “I cannot tell; Aunt. Reed says if I have any, they must be a beggarly set: I should not like to go a begging." 1st question: What is the expression “as far as it went” referring to in the first line? Is it referring back to the word “meagre” or is it referring to the word “true”? 2nd question: Could the phrase “I should not like to go a begging”, which is present in the second line, have the same meaning as “I should not like to become or come to be a begging person”? Is “go a begging” some sort of standard expression or idiom in English? Thank you very much!

What does the word “snuff” mean in the sentence below: "but that did not make me ill," I added; while Mr. Lloyd helped himself to a pinch of snuff.” Thank you very much.