retention; maintenance; preservation
nature; spontaneity; natural airhead
surely; certainly; no doubt; must
to weaken; to grow weak; to be downcast; to be dejected; to be troubled; to be at a loss
discussion; talk; tête-à-tête; conference
course; route; course (of study); program; lane (in running, swimming, etc.); course (of action); policy
making a round trip; going and returning; round-trip ticket; return ticket; correspondence; exchanging (of letters)
300; three hundred; 300 mon; trifling amount; shyster
a little; a bit; just a minute; for a moment; somewhat; rather
earth; ground; place; territory; bottom (of a package, book, etc.); earth (one of the five elements)
swift attack; quick attack; fast break; right away; without delay; immediately
a gap develops; a significant difference emerges
to betray; to turn traitor (to); to double-cross; to disappoint; to let down
fighting a good fight; putting up a good fight; fighting bravely
now advancing and now retreating; ebb and flow; seesawing; taking alternately favorable and unfavorable turns
fiercely fought contest; close game (match, race, etc.); dead heat
by return; (call or write back) without delay; lapel; cuff; going back; returning; chorus
lead; leading; leading (in points, goals, etc.); getting ahead; lead (from a base); lead (of an article); lede
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
remaining strength; surplus energy; reserve power; money to spare
conclusion; decision; end; settlement
contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
spot; point; place; position
destructive power; destructive energy; destructive force
major incident; major happening; big scandal
women's (of items, articles, etc.); ladies'; for women's use
straw mat used as a bag for carrying earth
to stagger; to stumble; to waver; to be in two minds; to have an affair (with); to fall (for someone)
paper-thin (difference); razor-thin; very slight
soccer; (association) football; seersucker
shooting (a ball); shot (on basket, at goal, etc.); shuuto (type of pitch commonly used in Japan); shootball; shoot (of a tree or plant); chute
to let fly; to make fly; to skip over; to leave out; to run fast; to drive fast; to spray
thanks; gratitude; manners; etiquette; bow; reward
to place both hands on the ground (to express respect, apology or to present a request)
earnest apology; humble apology; apologizing profusely
(real) ability; true strength; merit; arms; force
foul play; cheating; cunning person; sly fellow; cheat
after all is said and done; no matter what people say; in the end; definitely; undeniably
downheartedly; dejectedly; dispiritedly; despondently
to feel down; to feel sad; to be in a slump (business, economy, etc.); to be in an unfavourable condition; to fall into (e.g. a hole)
to get lost; to become lost; to go astray
fatigue; weariness; exhaustion; fatigue (of metal, etc.)