just before; on the verge of; on the brink of; just in front of; just ahead of
with a clatter; with a rattle; empty; bare; raspy (voice); gravelly; with a gargle
to collapse; to crumble; to get out of shape; to lose one's shape; to break down; to be thrown into disarray; to crash (stock market)
to fly through the air; to hurtle through the air; to strike at something and miss; to fan the air
virtually empty; quite empty; inadequately defended; defenseless; defenceless
to grow; to cultivate; to wear a beard
completely exhausted; dog-tired; dreadfully weary; terribly frustrated; limp; weak
the front; honesty; uprightness; decency; normality
pale; pallid; bluish-white
crackling; cracking; clapping; incessantly (blinking)
to give off sparks; to spark; to scintillate; to have a heated argument; to combat; to do something fiercely
whirlpool; swirl; eddy; vortex; maelstrom
aaah!; oooh!; oh no!; oh boy!
lightning strike; thunderbolt; bolt of lightning; to strike (lightning); to be struck by lightning
sky; air; ether; firmament; the heavens
to produce; to yield; to cause; to result from; to arise; to be generated
worn-out; ragged; crumbling; dry and crumbly; falling (in drops or clumps); scattering
surface; face; outside; exterior; appearances; superficiality
to break into fragments; to go to pieces
majority; more than half; most (of); mostly; largely; mainly
to use; to make use of; to utilize; to utilise
retreat; falling back; recession; waning; backspace (key)
high-speed; rapid; express; highway; freeway; expressway
rotation (usu. around something); revolution; turning
loud sound; loud reverberation
bombarding; shelling; bombardment
to shoot out (lights, window, etc.)
from the standpoint of; as a matter of (e.g. fact); aboard (a ship or vehicle); on top of; first volume (e.g. book); superior quality; best
learning by ear; memory of having heard something before
crisp; staccato; piquant; clear
receiving (a message, letter, email, etc.); reception (radio, TV, etc.)
combat readiness; battle readiness; fighting trim
cold; chilly; cold (attitude, stare, etc.); frigid; composed; cool
correspondence; news; letter; tidings
show (of power, ability, etc.); exhibition; demonstration; display; manifestation
gaining time; stalling for time; time-buying
to respond; to satisfy; to accept; to comply with; to apply for