to bend; to curve; to turn; to be awry; to be askew
passerby; pedestrian; foot passenger
extremely fast; in a flash; too quick for the eye to catch
greatly energetic; ferocious; extreme; severe
to advance (spatially); to go forward; to precede; to go ahead (of); to make progress; to move ahead (e.g. of work); to intensify
to compare; to make a comparison (between); to compete (on); to measure (one's strength, ability, etc. against another's)
(not even) a little; (not even) a tiny bit
comparatively; relatively; fairly; rather; pretty; unexpectedly
close; intimate; on good terms
personal; individual; private
to become known; to come to light; to be known; to be understood; to clearly not amount to much; to be insignificant
participants; participating athletes
two reams (of paper); 1000 sheets (of paper); stanza; verse; tribe (in taxonomy); forecast (bet); bet which predicts the top 2 finishers (i.e. quinella or perfecta bet)
doubt; misgivings; distrust; suspicion
foothold; footing; toehold; stepping stone
to ascend; to go up; to climb
to cross over; to cross; to pass through; to exceed; to surpass; to be more (than)
interval; period of time; among; between; good opportunity; chance
arranged; taken care of; settled; completed; finished
burden; load; responsibility; bearing (a cost, responsibility, etc.); shouldering
tune; tone; vein; mood; condition; state of health
selection; choice; choosing; picking; election
hard-liners; diehards; (young) man with traditionally masculine interests; tough boy; hard news; reporter who covers political and economic affairs
difficulty; trouble; accident; disaster; fault; defect
to step over; to step across; to stride over; to stretch over; to span; to bridge
immediately; right away; at once; easily; readily
venue (for judo, kendo, etc.); (boxing) ring
drama; play; powerful drug
gorgeous; gaudy; dazzling; gay; resplendent
first match (in a series)
win; victory; beautiful scenery; scenic spot; counter for wins