narrow margin; slim margin
to suffer an embarrassing defeat
comprehensive; composite; all-round; all-embracing; general; overall
(only) one option; one possible choice
to stare at each other; to lock eyes (with)
having a headache; racking one's brains; troubling over something
to be found; to be discovered
the Big Three (countries)
being the sole winner; beating everyone else; winner-take-all; mostly alone; mostly by oneself
to make matters worse; besides; what's more; in addition; on top of that
how should I put it?; what shall I say?; well, you know; like
secret information; intelligence
contacting; getting in touch; communication; call; message
chief; main; principal; major
president (of a university); vice-chancellor; secretary-general; director; leader (esp. of a biker gang)
second grade; second class; secondary
to keep step (with); to keep pace (with); to move in lockstep; to align (with another's thoughts or actions); to get on the same page
mouth; lips; shape of the mouth; near an entrance; vicinity of an entrance
military force; force of arms; strength of an army
secret plan; secret scheme; secret stratagem; secret method
pending question; unresolved problem
worst; worst-case (scenario)
military operation; military tactics; military strategy
attendance; presence; appearance
last (i.e. immediately preceding); previous; pre- (e.g. premodern); before; before; earlier
to intrude; to butt in; to meddle; to be forward; to be self-assertive; to show off
to invade; to attack; to breach; to penetrate
diversion; distraction; feint
flying column; detached force
main body (of troops); main force; this troop; these troops
attack; drive; advance; invasion
to plan; to plot; to attempt (e.g. suicide, murder); to undertake (e.g. business); (arch.) to stand on tip-toes
one by one; thoroughly; exhaustively; with a fine-tooth comb
two-digit number; "tens" column; two digits; double figures
spurious article; forgery; counterfeit; imitation; sham
to be disappointed; to be dejected; to be downhearted; to feel exhausted; to feel drained
loss; damage; harm; disadvantage; handicap; drawback
flawless; absolute perfection
to carry (something) under cover; to carry concealed
insufficient; inadequate; imperfect