to sit on the edge of one's seat; to be in breathless suspense
now advancing and now retreating; ebb and flow; seesawing; taking alternately favorable and unfavorable turns
to complete decisively; to do to completion
taking a breath (while singing, swimming, etc.); short break; breather
to win and advance to the next round
to forget something ever existed; to pretend something didn't happen; to put something behind one; to forgive (something)
fighting a good fight; putting up a good fight; fighting bravely
hard fight; close game; struggle; tight contest
to force; to compel; to coerce; to press; to impose
preservation; retainment; keeping
having little left; having few remaining; running short; running low; scant
unwelcome; nerdish; unpopular
throwing down; dropping; airdrop; investment
adds light emphasis or insistence to a statement; gives a statement a threatening or condescending tone
unsightly; ungraceful; clumsy; awkward; unpresentable; unshapely
ugly; unattractive; bad-looking; unsightly; unseemly; disgraceful
begging for one's life; pleading for one's life
defeat; loss; reverse; setback
to win through (e.g. to the next round); to win game after game; to achieve a final victory; to fight to the end and win; to come out on top
to be bloodcurdling; to be ghastly
barren; sterile; infertile; unproductive (e.g. discussion); fruitless
to fly into a jealous rage; to go mad with jealousy
to come near (to); to approach; to be on the verge of; to be about to reach (a stage, period, etc.); to overhang; to hang over
tough guy; wild one; veteran (in a particular field); expert; person of surprising audacity; someone with a lot of nerve
suddenly; abruptly; unexpectedly; (not) readily; (not) right away; (not) immediately
noisy; confused; uproarious
to begin (doing); to start (doing)
calm; composed; leisurely
to stand still (for a while); to remain in one place; to stand alone (of a building, statue, tree, etc.); to stand quietly; to wander about; to loiter
ripple; ring on the water; repercussions; Japanese slit drum; instrument made of iron with slits on top; makes a rippling sound
hearsay; rumor; rumour; report
head; chief; boss; leader
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
if you are so inclined; if it suits you; if you like
ill feeling; ill will; animosity; bad impression
shout of abuse; jeers; boos