to wager; to bet; to risk; to stake; to gamble
magnification; leverage; amplification; competitiveness rating (e.g. for university entrance); applicant-to-acceptance ratio
as usual; as always; as before; as ever; still
suddenly; in a flash; rapidly; attractive; distinguished; showy
large; big; older; senior; final; ultimate
betting on an outsider (in horse racing, etc.); taking a long shot; dark horse betting
precisely; exactly; plumb; damn; stupid; cursed
to be somewhat different (from before, from others, etc.)
beautiful woman with cold, standoffish air
clique; group; (political) faction; wing; school; sect
you (plural); all of you; you all
clearing one's throat; cough
arrangement (of resources); deployment; stationing; posting; disposition; configuration
to happen to meet; to come across
explanation; commentary; exposition; elucidation
ulterior motive; plot; scheme; complicated circumstances; intricacies
more or less; though not quite satisfactorily; tentatively; for the time being; just in case; once
understanding; comprehension; appreciation; sympathy
smooth words make smooth ways; it's not what you say, it's how you say it
avenue; street; coming and going; street traffic; flow (of water, air, etc.); transmission (of sound); reach (e.g. of voice)
identical; same; one and the same; fair; equal treatment; without discrimination
corresponding to (in meaning, function, etc.); being equivalent to; appropriate; suitable; to be proportionate to; to be in keeping with
round shape; circle; circular form
mountain; hill; mine (e.g. coal mine); heap; pile; crown (of a hat); thread (of a screw)
existing (at the present moment); alright; acceptable; to be (usu. of inanimate objects); to have
composite; combined; complex
period of time; time slot; time zone
establishment; creation; posing (a problem); options setting; preference settings; configuration
one-sided; unilateral; arbitrary
advantage or disadvantage
distributing; dealing out; apportionment
sky; the skies; high-altitude sky; upper air
monitoring; watching; observation; surveillance; guarding; supervision