existential threat; life-or-death crisis
fleeting; transient; short-lived; empty (dream, etc.); mere (hope); faint (possibility)
to vanish gradually (e.g. of a voice); to trail off; to die away; to feel one's soul leaving one's body (from embarrassment, grief, etc.); to feel faint; to feel numb
to well up; to burst; to arise
reasonable (person); obedient (e.g. child); doing what one is told
kind; tender-hearted; compassionate
interest (in something); curiosity (about something); zest (for)
according to plan; as planned
light; lamp; counter for electric lights
to spin; to make yarn; to spin (a tale); to assemble (e.g. words); to put together
dumbfounded; speechless; flabbergasted; struck dumb with astonishment
criticism; blame; censure; attack; reproach
idea; plan; fancy; impulse; thought; whim
belief; conviction; opinion
severe; harsh; hard; cruel; rigorous
trouble; hardship; difficulty; anxiety; worry; concern
to lead a life; to live a life
national crisis; national disaster
to put to use; to make use of; to turn to account
certainly; without fail; right and wrong; pros and cons
errand; mission; messenger; bearer; familiar spirit
precipitous; rugged; inaccessible; grim; severe; stern
to show signs of ...; to have the appearance of ...
combat power; fighting strength
art of self-defense (defence)
to grow; to grow up; to be good at; to excel in
bravery; military prowess; valour; valor
to be fit (for a role); to be qualified (for); to be equal (to a task); to be able to fulfill one's duties (as)
not only ... (but also); not merely; as well as; furthermore; besides; moreover
naming; nominating; designating; calling on; asking for; requesting
manners; etiquette; propriety; manner of production (esp. of prose, poetry, etc.); way of making
to look stupid; to have a critical lack
veteran (e.g. soldier); battle-hardened; seasoned; (of) long military service
one or two; a couple; a few; first and second (place); the top two
to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
inquiry; enquiry; question; searching; looking for
just; fair; proper; reasonable
choosing; selecting; deciding (on)
rather; better; instead; if anything
drop in status; reduction in status
to install (a king, emperor, etc.); to appoint (to a post); to promote; to assign (to study under)