plan to overcome an obstacle or break out of a deadlock; breakthrough solution
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
highest rank; highest position; high-end; highest-order; most-significant (e.g. bit)
moving forward (e.g. of a vehicle); onward movement; progress (of work, activities, etc.); advance; progression (of a disease, global warming, etc.); progression (e.g. chord progression)
now advancing and now retreating; ebb and flow; seesawing; taking alternately favorable and unfavorable turns
offense and defense; offence and defence
offense; offence; method of attack
slowly (but steadily); gradually; irritatedly; impatiently; scorchingly (of the sun); sizzling (i.e. sound of frying in oil); sound of a warning bell, alarm clock, etc.
retreat; falling back; recession; waning; backspace (key)
nature (of a person); sex; gender; sex (i.e. sexual attraction, activity, etc.); gender; -ty
tremendous; immense; enormous; colossal; stupendous; huge
aquatic (life); living in the water
reinforcement; strengthening
collision; crash; impact; clash; skirmish; conflict
steam; vapour; vapor; steamboat; steam locomotive
to visit and comfort or console; to go to see (e.g. someone in hospital); to ask after (e.g. someone's health); to attack; to hit; to strike
extinction; extinguishment; disappearance; annihilation
after a short while; not long after; soon; before long; shortly thereafter
to wipe off; to wipe out; to expunge
to hang over; to shroud; to enshroud; to envelop; to screen
gaining total control (of people or counties); suppression; oppression; control; mastery; ascendancy
to be of help; to be useful; to go toward
bad condition; poor condition; disorder; failure; rupture; breakdown (e.g. of negotiations)
to shake; to jolt; to shake (e.g. the political world); to disturb; to put off a batter (by varying one's type of pitch)
dim; hazy; vague; indistinct; faint; fuzzy
external injury; external wound; (physical) trauma
to grimace; to make a wry face; to contort one's face
skeptical; sceptical; incredulous
to lie down; to throw oneself down
to tie; to restrain; to confine; to bind; to fasten
daily; everyday; days (e.g. of one's youth); every day; day after day
point (of a story, argument, etc.); key point; point; site; point (in scoring); point (in a loyalty program); points
(lit.) blood flows; to have the blood of ... running in one's veins (artist, warrior, etc.); to be born with particular skills, characteristics, etc.; to have something "in one's blood"
to taper to a point; to become pointed; to be on edge; to be nervous; to be sharp (of a voice, words, etc.); to be harsh
to step back; to move back; to withdraw (from the presence of a superior); to leave; to resign; to retire
to come (home) to one; to click; to ring a bell; to appeal to one; to speak to one; to impress one
to hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby); to embrace; to have sex with; to make love to; to sit on (eggs); to brood
to clatter; to rattle; to flap (noisily); to get in a panic; to get in a flap; to rush around
daring; fearless; intrepid; bold; tough
to cling to; to hang onto; to rely on; to depend on; to implore; to entreat