following the exact wording of the law
suivre la lettre exacte de la loi (suivre la lettre exacte de la loi)
"He follows the letter of the law, not its spirit."
"Il suit la lettre de la loi, pas son esprit." (Il suit la lettre de la loi, pas son esprit.)
to raise or care for a child until adulthood
to form new friendships
to achieve what you have always wanted
to enter a new field or profession successfully
In a situation that is unknown or unfamiliar.
No matter how bad things look, you can still hope.