severe; strict; tough; hard
drawn-out (protracted) war or contest
disadvantage; handicap; unfavorable position
convulsion; cramp; spasm; tic; twitch; fit
with one's own body; by one's own action; by one's own experience; barely (e.g. escape); narrowly
demonstration; verification; substantiation; actual proof
tenacity; persistence; obsession; implacability
territory; domain; field; area; domain; region
to disentangle; to untangle; to break up into pieces; to pick apart; to relieve; to ease
(company) director; executive; top management; important post; role with heavy responsibilities
year; age; years; past one's prime; old age
as likely as not; fifty-fifty; even match; tie
trouble; burden; nuisance; care; dependence; support
reinforcement (e.g. of troops)
to take (someone) out (for a walk, to lunch, etc.); to entice out; to lure away
to gather (attract, receive) attention; to have a high profile; to gain prominence; to become popular
to breathe heavily (e.g. with much movement of the shoulders)
protection; safeguard; guardianship; preservation; conservation
timewise; temporal; chronal
one country; the whole nation; the whole country; stubborn; obstinate
feeling of relief (for the time being); peace of mind (for now)
forbidding mentioning (something to others); imposing silence (on); ordering (someone) to keep quiet; hush money
an issue being settled; a case being closed
private; non-public; secret; closed-door; closed
to break off; to come to an end; to be interrupted; to be cut short; to pause
along with; in line with; following; due to; as a result of; in accordance with
transport; transportation; transit; conveyance
shorthanded; short of hands; undermanned; insufficient (stock, money, etc.); in short supply; low
minute; detailed; careful; scrupulous; thorough
to raise one's voice; to shout
even at the best of times; already; (even) under normal circumstances; in addition to; as it is
to be within others' sight; to be visible; to be conspicuous; to attract public attention; to come under observation
(surprise) attack; assault; raid; charge
performance; trick; feat; extraordinary deed; daring act; bold move
to lurk; to be hidden; to be concealed; to lie dormant; to be latent
recapture; retaking; recovery; taking back
duty; obligation; responsibility
promise; agreement; appointment; engagement; convention; rule
in person; personally; directly