personal feelings; self-interest
looks (esp. of a woman); features; ability; capability; (public) estimation (esp. of a man); credit
by all means; no matter what; at any rate
circle; entirety; whole; money; dough; enclosure inside a castle's walls; soft-shelled turtle
as soon as...; just after...; immediately after...; hurriedly; in haste; quickly
to accept; to receive; to agree
to interrupt (a story, etc.); to bend at the waist
given that ... it is only natural that ...; ... being the case, it is unavoidable that ...; (precisely) because ...; contrary to expectations ...
relatively; comparatively
other people's affairs; somebody else's problem
merit system (as opposed to seniority); meritocracy; ability-ism
user; consumer; master (e.g. of swordsmanship); prodigal; spendthrift
divine generals who protect pilgrims, etc.
taste (in fashion, music, etc.); sense (e.g. of humour); flair
to be inferior to; to be less good at; to fall behind
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
set; suit; uniform collection; entirely; all; every one
rivalry (between two equally strong sides); struggle for supremacy; competing (with); vying (with); contending (with); being an equal match (for)
armed might; military power; the sword; force
oath; pledge; pact; covenant; alliance
to force; to compel; to coerce; to press; to impose
war potential; military strength; fighting power; ability (to compete); capabilities; valuable asset
to stop; to turn off; to park; to prevent; to suppress (a cough); to stop (someone from doing something); to dissuade
foreign country; other country; another province; strange land; alien land
state of things; state of affairs; condition; situation; circumstances
the deceased; the departed
unique; rare; exceptional; unparalleled; incomparable
(real) ability; true strength; merit; arms; force
owner; proprietor; possessor (e.g. of talent, beauty, etc.)
skill; dexterity; master hand
to take someone's life; to kill someone
something heard for the first time; hearing something for the first time
to take over; to capture; to seize; to hijack (vehicle, account, etc.)
study; diligence; discount; reduction
on bad terms; at loggerheads
war; fighting; fierce competition