to become better; to improve
considerably; fairly; quite
on the contrary; far from it; if anything; in fact; instead
until now; so far; up to the present
to keep within limits (e.g. spending); to restrain (e.g. emotions); to control; to hold back (e.g. an enemy); to check; to curb
to well (up); to gush forth (of water); to appear (esp. suddenly) (sweat, tears, etc.); to feel emotions from (joy, bravery, etc.); to hatch (esp. of parasitic insects, etc.)
thoroughly; completely; severely; harshly; (arch.) scattered; (arch.) disconnected
terrific; fierce; terrible; tremendous; dreadful; awful
being taken aback; state of shock; dumbfoundedness
water pistol; squirt gun; water gun
slowly; quietly; steadily; soon; momentarily; before long
to settle (a problem); to put an end to (a dispute); to be disposed of; to be settled; to come to an end
to be hit; to strike; to touch; to be in contact; to be equivalent to; to be applicable; to be right on the money (of a prediction, criticism, etc.)
poor; pitiable; pathetic; pitiful
(many) mountains; very much (wanting to do something one cannot); greatly; so many; a lot of
passing (a test, examination, etc.); pass (for admission, transport, etc.); ticket; pass (of a ball); (giving something a) pass; skipping (one's turn)
more or less; though not quite satisfactorily; tentatively; for the time being; just in case; once
clotted blood; gore; sticky clots of blood
life or death struggle; mortal combat; struggle to the death
trace; tracks; site; remains; scar
muddy; covered with mud; mud-caked
one more; another; not quite; close run; just falling short of success
one more; another; the other; not quite; not very good; lacking
persuasiveness; powers of persuasion; cogency
a matter of course; what is to be expected; par for the course
older sister; elder sister
when it comes to ...; concerning; where ... are concerned
gun; wooden pole that wrestlers strike in practice; puffer fish
tranquil; calm; restful; peaceful; quiet
to put one's life on the line
determination; resolution
to the limit; to the full; as much as possible; with all one's might
all one's power (strength, energy, efforts); one's utmost
qualifications; requirements; capabilities
playing dead; feigning death; playing possum
rubber band; elastic band
snare; trap (for catching wild game, etc.); trap (i.e. ruse, subterfuge, etc.)
to fit; to get into; to be fit for (a job, etc.); to be suited for; to fall into; to plunge into
impertinent; impudent; saucy; cheeky