standard practice; playing by the book; established tactic; joseki (jōseki); standard sequence of moves (esp. in a corner)
quick-witted and agile; keen and nimble
closing in on (the enemy, first place, etc.); coming close to; pressing hard; pressing hard (e.g. with a question); taking to task; grilling
to lend an ear; to hearken; to give an ear to; to listen carefully
recommendation; endorsement
to succeed; to relieve; to take the place of; to substitute for; to be exchanged; to change (places with)
falling together; mutual destruction; joint bankruptcy
to consist of; to be made up of; to be concluded (e.g. of an agreement); to hold true (e.g. of a theory); to be viable (of a business, lifestyle, etc.); to carry on
bitter (taste); sour (expression, look); bitter; bitter (e.g. experience); painful
no sooner than; as soon as; immediately after; at the thought of; when I think about
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum
comprehensive; composite; all-round; all-embracing; general; overall
rate; ratio; one tenth; ten percent; (comparative) profit; gain; assignment
to pierce; to stab; to sting; to bite; to sew; to stitch; to pole (a boat)
does not seem; unlikely; improbable
postponement; deferment; hesitation; delaying; suspended sentence
dealing appropriately (with a situation); taking proper measures; handling (an issue) carefully; making the best of (a bad bargain)
order; command; directions; instructions
to tear; to rip; to break through (cordon, opponent's defense, etc.); to breach; to defeat; to beat; to break (e.g. silence)
gradual (destruction); progressive (dismantlement)
encouragement; inspiration; rousing; stirring up; raising (e.g. morale)
shout (of encouragement, etc.); yell (used to time or encourage activity, e.g. "Heave ho!")
deployment; spreading out; dispersal
overbearing; coercive; pushy; forcible; high-handed
to bend by twisting; to twist; to contort; to distort (e.g. the truth); to twist (e.g. someone's words)
exhaustion; consumption; using up; dissipation; waste
footwork (in martial arts, sports, etc.)
how (beautiful, tasty, etc.); what a ...; nothing worth mentioning; nothing special; of what name
to burn; to scorch; to singe; to char
laws of nature; physical laws; physics
deceased; late; dead; departed
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
as one wishes; as one wants; to one's satisfaction
irritation; annoyance; frustration
to break through; to penetrate; to pierce
to be closed; to be blocked; to be clogged; to be plugged up; to be occupied; to be taken (e.g. accommodation)
chink in the armor (armour)
bizarre plan; perplexing strategy; outlandish scheme
main topic; main subject; main issue; this subject
to have one's attention caught (by); to be distracted (by); to be preoccupied (with); to be captivated (by); to be absorbed (in)
outstanding; excellent; exceptional; distinguished; unrivaled; surpassing (e.g. beauty)
intercept; interception; counter-attack