step; stride; counter for steps
to retreat; to back off; to draw back; to step back; to shrink away
group; party; team; squad; section
member; participant; attendee; lineup (sport)
as one would expect; naturally; indeed; still; all the same; after all
to choose the best; to select carefully; to handpick
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
to be turned inside out; to betray; to double-cross; to break into falsetto; to crack into falsetto
to respond; to answer; to accept (an invitation, offer, etc.); to comply with (a request, etc.); to suit; to match
to break; to fracture; to fold; to bend; to make (origami); to interrupt
willpower; energy; vitality
to muster (e.g. courage); to gather; to collect; to pluck up
to pour in (liquids); to pour in (money); to pump in (investment)
(physical) form; shape; visage; (facial) features; form (as opposed to substance); manner (of action); (resultant) state
time; hour; period; class
half; semi-; half-past; odd number; (arch.) han (unit of land area, approx. 595.8 m^2)
second (unit of time); arc second
to be full; to wax (e.g. moon); to rise (e.g. tide); to mature; to expire
troublesome; annoying; complicated
effect; efficacy; validity; potency
to lose; to miss (a chance, opportunity); to lose (a loved one); to be bereaved of; to concede (goals, points, etc.)
obstruction; impediment; hindrance; inhibition; blocking; check
that's the way it is; such is life
coincidence; chance; by chance; unexpectedly; contingency
disorder; chaos; confusion
formation; molding; making (up); repair (e.g. with plastic surgery); replacement; -plasty
there is no need to ...; never happens; there is never a time when
in accordance with; according to; as X, then Y (e.g. as we age we gain wisdom, as wine matures it becomes more valuable, etc.)
to form; to shape; to make; to mold; to mould; to build up
pattern; behavioural pattern; behavioral pattern; predictability
all (there is); as long as there is
naked; bare; uncovered; frank; open; blunt
if it is (the case that ...)
powerlessness; helplessness; incompetence; ineffectiveness
to change (into); to turn (into); to transform (into); to influence
trump; trump card; ace up one's sleeve; secret weapon
far from; anything but; not at all ... but rather ...; let alone; to say nothing of; not to mention
check; keeping in check; containment (of enemy forces); diversionary action; pickoff throw; holding (a runner) on base
to get; to earn; to understand; to comprehend; to receive something undesirable (e.g. a punishment); to get (ill)
bearer; carrier; person bearing responsibility; person in charge; supporter
confusion; dismay; consternation; panic
to falter; to flinch (from); to recoil (from); to quail (at); to be intimidated; to feel daunted
fanatic; fanatic believer; zealot