to set up (a house, store, etc.); to build; to have at the ready (e.g. a gun); to hold in preparation (e.g. a camera); to adopt a posture; to assume a stance; to put on an air
surplus; margin; leeway; composure; placidity; complacency
ordinary; common; commonplace; mediocre; unremarkable; undistinguished
as likely as not; 50-50; even match; tie
to betray; to turn traitor to; to double-cross
right away; without delay; as soon as possible; very soon
last-minute cramming; overnight cramming; (vegetables) salted just overnight
to pass; to elapse; to pass through; to go through; to experience; to go through
technology; engineering; technique; skill; art; craft
prioritized; focused; concentrated; predominant
siege; encirclement; envelopment; surrounding; besiegement
pressing; urging; demanding; demand
to address (someone); to accost a person; to talk (to someone); to begin to talk; to start a conversation
counter for articles; counter for military units; individual
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
to arrive at (after a struggle); to finally reach; to find one's way to; to finally hit on (e.g. an idea)
timid; weak-kneed; fainthearted; bearish (e.g. market)
to ask again; to repeat one's question; to ask back; to ask in return; to counter
just as; in the act of; as soon as; at the moment that
with trouble; at great pains; rare; valuable; kind; generous
to amuse oneself; to make merry
to dodge (e.g. a question); to evade; to sidestep; to give (someone) the slip
stomach ache; abdominal pain
great difference; big difference; wide margin
head-on; to one's face; squarely; directly; flatly (e.g. refuse)
subject; theme; homework; assignment; task; challenge
opposite effect; adverse effect; backfiring
department (in an organization); division; club; part; component; category
belonging to (a group, organization, etc.); affiliation (with); being attached to; being under the control of
seems to be; appears to have; supposed to be
five; five years of age; eight o'clock (old time system)
combat; battle; action; active service; actual fighting
form (as opposed to substance); formality; method; system; format; mode
by the way; in this connection; incidentally; in passing
top of ...; head of ...; the moment that ...
far and away the best; the very best; cream of the crop; crème de la crème; decisive lead; commanding lead