deadlock; stalemate; standstill; hopeless position; lost game; zugzwang
cruise; navigation; sailing
boss; leader; head; boss (difficult enemy, usu. at the end of a section or level)
union; combination; conjugation (of gametes); sexual intercourse; copulation
romance (e.g. Arthurian romances); heroic tale; (nigh) impossible dream; adventurous spirit; (full-length) novel; romance
battle; fight; fighting; engagement; contest
(in) the middle of; (in) the midst of; (in) the course of; (at) the height of
self-confidence; confidence (in oneself)
head (of a line, group, etc.); front; lead; forefront; vanguard
firm; solid; steady; secure; unshakeable; unwavering
rate; ratio; one tenth; ten percent; (comparative) profit; gain; assignment
opposition; resistance; insubordination; defiance; hostility; rebellion
standard; criterion; norm; benchmark; measure; gauge
to disappear into; to slip into; to be lost in; to be mixed up with
to oppress; to persecute; to tyrannize
massing (of troops); gathering
should do; ought to do; must do
to have a showdown; to settle (e.g. a dispute)
decisive action; going through with; daring to do; carrying out
latest information; latest news; update
(written) invitation; letter of invitation
gradually; by degrees; little by little; step by step
continuance; survival; persistence; retention; duration
large country; major nation; great power; province of the highest rank (ritsuryō system)
expectation; anticipation; purpose; intention; others' opinions of one; speculation
to twine; to get tangled; to be involved (e.g. of money in a matter); to get involved (in); to pick a quarrel (with); to find fault (with)
3rd day of the month; three days
destructive blast; blowing up; explosion
to win; to achieve; to gain; to obtain; to secure
arms race; armaments race
dark age; hard times; winter years
to come along; to come around; to turn up; to arrive at the present; to get where one is; to have been doing something (for a period of time)
embodiment; manifestation; materialization; materialisation; expression; indication
calculation; self-interest; selfishness
to refuse; to reject; to inform; to give notice; to ask leave; to excuse oneself (from)
studying for a test (esp. school or university entrance examinations)
tough (world); hard (times); cold; stingy; miserly; mercenary