to be (of animate objects); to exist; to stay; to be ...-ing; to have been ...-ing
first (of all); firstly; probably; most likely; more or less (satisfactory); on the whole
entry (on stage); appearance (on screen); entrance; introduction (into a market)
blocking (e.g. the way); obstructing; block (lump of something (usu. square), area of town, etc.); block; physical record (e.g. on magnetic tape); concrete block; blocking (from view, esp. of websites, on social media, etc.)
passing through (a tunnel, station, town, etc.); passing by (e.g. of a typhoon); passage (of a bill, e.g. through parliament); carriage; passing (an examination, inspection, etc.); clearing
player (of a sport); athlete; team member
hiss (esp. cat); sizzle; whoosh
to persevere; to persist; to insist that; to stick to (one's opinion); to remain in a place; to stick to one's post
and; and then; thus; and now; and finally
far and away the best; the very best; cream of the crop; crème de la crème; decisive lead; commanding lead
first place; head position; leading position
commander-in-chief; leader; head of a group of companies
to do; to carry out; to cause to become; to make (into); to serve as; to act as; to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
international; diplomatic intercourse
sweeping over (e.g. of a natural disaster); engulfing; sweeping victory; clean sweep
to come (spatially or temporally); to approach; to come back; to do ... and come back; to come to be; to become
heaven-sent child (in answer to a Shinto or Buddhist prayer); child (e.g. of an era); product
to call out (to); to call; to summon (a doctor, etc.); to invite; to designate; to name; to garner (support, etc.)
genius; prodigy; natural gift
most; highest; maximum; best; wonderful; finest
scoring; score; points made; marks obtained; goals; runs
curry (esp. Japanese curry); rice and curry
chic; smart; understanding; considerate; familiar with worldly pleasures (esp. sexual relations, geisha districts and red-light districts)
to concentrate; to devote; to apply; to strain; to rack
impact (on); (strong) impression; effect; impact (of a ball against a racket, bat, club, etc.)
elegance; grace; article; item; counter for items (of food, etc.); counter for dishes or courses (at a restaurant)
how; in what way; how about
opposition; rivalry; competition; antagonism
to melt (and become soft or liquid); to be enchanted (by); to be charmed; to be bewitched
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to deep-fry
incredible; unbelievable; terrific; impressive
latest; newest; late-breaking (news)
cookware; cooking utensil
audience seating; (spectator) stands; auditorium; stadium
skin; body (in the context of intimate bodily contact); surface; grain (e.g. of wood); disposition; temperament
stinging; smarting; on edge; nervous; ripping; peeling
like; similar to; (I) think (that); (I) have a feeling (that); feels like; feels similar to