important point; point to check; point not to miss; checkpoint
cord used to tuck up the sleeves of a kimono; sash (worn across chest, e.g. by election candidate or relay runners); wrapper band on books, CDs, etc.
advance (into a new market or stage of progress); launching (a new career or venture); expanding (into a new market); stepping forward; emerging
short-distance race; sprint
marathon; long-distance race
at last; finally; barely; narrowly; just
(a) little; (a) few; slight; only; just; merely
(fighting) spirit; motivation; shout (for getting in the right mood to deal with something, etc.); cheer; kiai; short shout when performing an attacking move
to take (a resource, e.g. time or money); to hang; to come into view; to arrive; to come under (a contract, a tax); to start (engines, motors); to attend
lunch; midday meal; food served at a tea party (tea ceremony)
about; roughly; generally; on the whole; completely; quite
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
center; centre; middle; -centered; -centred; -focused
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
entering; setting (of the Sun); containing; content; income; beginning
to be crowded; to be packed; to be complex
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
standee (in a theatre); standing-room spectator; the gallery
state; condition; the way things should be; ideal state; truth
more and more; all the more; at last; finally; (at the) last moment; worst possible time
rushing into; breaking into; storming; plunging into (war, etc.); embarking on (a new venture)
heat; hot air; enthusiasm; excitement; fever
sense of anticipation; feeling of expectation; feeling of hope
first arrival; first in race; suit of clothes
black; dark; blackish; suspicious; criminal; darkened and dirty; sooty
once; one time; one round; one game; one bout; one heat
impressiveness; impact; force; intensity; appeal; strength
to chip; to be chipped; to be missing (from a set, team, etc.); to be absent; to be lacking (in); to be short (of)
one by one; one after another; successively
practice; training; drill; (an) exercise; workout
special training; intensive training; crash course
whole (body); full-length (e.g. portrait); systemic
anxiously; impatiently; worriedly; fretting; getting worked up
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
succession; continuation; series; sequence
to join hands together; to join forces; to collaborate