to polish; to shine; to burnish; to refine (a skill, etc.); to improve; to hone
room for growth; potential; promise
just now; a moment ago; this very minute
to become settled; to be fixed
hmmm; uh-huh; murmur indicating approval, comprehension, etc.
a cut above; one step above
to keep someone from doing; to stop; to prevent; to check; to hinder; to obstruct
(the) whole; as a whole; in general; at large
regarding as important; attaching importance to; taking a serious view of; putting emphasis on
specialized; specialised; boutique
theory; standard procedure; common strategy; established tactics
last stand; last bastion; last stronghold; last frontier
in some cases; sometimes; on occasions
sole; single; solo; independence; singleness; singularity
to turn; to shift; to switch; to change; to alter
to hit hard; to strike hard
side; flank; profile; aspect; dimension
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
blind alley; cul-de-sac; dead end street; deadlock; impasse; dead end
positive; assertive; active; proactive; aggressive
to climb over; to get over; to overcome (a difficulty, obstacle, etc.); to surmount; to surpass (a predecessor); to overtake
to stand in the way (esp. with legs spread out); to block the way; to stand in the way (e.g. of progress); to obstruct
interrogative sentence-ending particle expressing doubt
(powers of) concentration; ability to concentrate
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
to be responsible for; to bear the responsibility of
sermon; preaching; homily; remonstration; scolding; lecturing
to wedge one's way in; to push in (between); to step in (between); to interrupt (a conversation, quarrel, etc.); to intervene
every person; every mouth; every entrance
awkward; uncomfortable; embarrassing
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
the problem (at issue); the point at issue; problematic issue; problem
to be bloodcurdling; to be ghastly
assessment of the situation; judging according to the situation
passing mark; qualifying marks (score)
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
test; trial; ordeal; tribulation
different person; another person; someone else; changed man
wife; your wife; his wife; married lady; madam