strong pressure; heavy pressure
to collect; to assemble; to gather
to ward off (e.g. an attack); to fend off (e.g. a question); to elude; to evade; to dodge; to turn aside (e.g. a joke)
outward appearance; ostensible; public; official
so to speak; so to call it; as it were; in a sense
to overturn; to capsize; to overthrow (government etc.); to reverse (decision etc.); to disprove (an established theory etc.)
in spite of; despite; although; nonetheless; nevertheless; but
veteran; battle-worn; schooled by adversity in many battles; hard-bitten; rich in experience; very experienced
cunning and experienced in the ways of the world; crafty and worldly-wise; sly old (fox)
as expected; as predicted
within expectations; as expected; within the scope of hypothesis or assumption
insatiable; untiring; persistent
inquisitive mind; spirit of inquiry; spirit of enquiry
product; produce; result; fruit
in that manner; like that
preface; introduction; preamble
topic of discussion; agenda
itemization (of expenses); the items; breakdown; classification
rate; ratio; comparatively; contrary to expectations
declining; refusal; nonacceptance; turning down; withdrawal (e.g. of candidacy); pulling out (e.g. of a race)
to be due to; to be caused by; to depend on; to turn on; to be based on; to come from
target; object (of worship, study, etc.); subject (of taxation, etc.); coverage
shortening; contraction; reduction; curtailment; abbreviation
one day; all day (long); the whole day; first day of the month
tournament; knockout tournament (esp. single-elimination); elimination tournament
acceptee; accepted candidate; person who has passed (e.g. a test); passer-by; transiter
actor; actress; man of wits; clever person; cunning fellow
audience seating; (spectator) stands; auditorium; stadium
full house; no vacancy; sold out; standing room only; full (of people); crowded
to satisfy (conditions, one's appetite, etc.); to meet (e.g. demands); to fulfill; to fill (e.g. a cup); to pack; to supply
here and there; in twos and threes; sporadically; now and then; from time to time; occasionally
(company) director; executive; top management; important post; role with heavy responsibilities
leading part; leading actor; leading actress
waiting room; anteroom; antechamber; green room
in preparation (for); in case (of); in the lead-up (to)
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
care; looking after; repair; (police) raid; crackdown
careful; elaborate; scrupulous