enemy territory; hostile place
desperate situation with no escape; being driven into a corner; being cornered; last extremity
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
nicely; properly; frequently; often; I'm glad that you ...; thank you for ...
you could say that; that might be so
trap (for catching animals); snare; trap; trick; ruse
sacrificial pawn; sacrificed piece; sacrifice
the present; present time; as of; present tense; this world; this life
already; previously; before; undeniably; unmistakably
(not) always; (not) necessarily; (not) entirely; (not) all
welcome; (warm) reception
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
with one's own body; by one's own action; by one's own experience; barely (e.g. escape); narrowly
to hesitate to; to waver; to be hesitant about
as a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth; to be honest; frankly; actually
to protect (someone); to look after (e.g. an injured leg); to defend; to cover for; to stand up for; to stick up for
to be able to do; to be possible; to be good at; to do well; to come into existence; to form; to be made
(place) near by; (place) close by; (place) right next to; as soon as; right after
left arm; left-handed (baseball pitcher)
to hug (someone) tight; to embrace; to give (someone) a tight hug; to cuddle
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
learning; acquisition (of a skill, knowledge, etc.)
occasion; time; circumstances; (in) case (of); when
acceleration; speeding up
to catch up (with); to draw level; to pull even; to be compensated; to make up for one's losses
properly; accurately; exactly; neatly; tidily; orderly
self-defense; self-defence
in any case; at any rate; anyhow; because; since; for
worst; worst-case (scenario)
to fall into (e.g. a hole); to fall into (chaos, depression, dilemma, illness, etc.); to fall into (a trap, etc.); to fall; to surrender
even; (if) only; just; besides; on top of that
to miss; to overlook; to let pass (a matter); to overlook (e.g. a wrongdoing); to pass up (e.g. an opportunity); to let (a good ball) go by
safety; security; safely; without incident; good health; inaction
to permit; to allow; to forgive; to pardon; to exempt (someone) from; to remit; to acknowledge
to glare at; to scowl at; to stare intensely at; to examine carefully; to estimate; to guess
I'm sorry; my apologies; may I come in?; permission; leave; dismissal
instant; moment; for an instant
to go by; to cross; to pass by; to flash across
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
celebrated personage; big-wig; person in a high position