recently; lately; these days; nearest; closest
sense of impending crisis; sense of danger
protagonist; main character; hero(ine) (of a story); head of household
constitution (physical); physical make-up; predisposition (to disease); character (of a group, organization, etc.); innate characteristics; make-up
to be embarrassed; to lose face
to fold one's arms; to link arms with someone
to say no more; to sink into silence
unpleasant; awkward; embarrassing; uneasy
quick; prompt; without delay; simple; easy; effortless
proximity; nearness; being nearby; approaching; drawing near; coming close
to compete (with each other); to contend for; to vie for; to rival
everybody; every last one of them; all
good-for-nothing; spineless; gutless; spiritless; feckless; pluckless
in name only; figurehead; (only) by name
contents; interior; substance; content; (sword) blade
genuine article; real thing; real deal
proximity; nearness; soon; nearby
to see; to witness; to observe; to catch sight of; to get a glimpse of; to encounter
to open one's eyes wide (in astonishment, wonder, etc.); to be wide-eyed; to be amazed
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
to keep; to preserve; to hold; to last; to endure; to keep well (food)
ingenious idea; excellent plan; bright idea
(wrestling) ring; forum (e.g. for discussion); sandbag; gabion
bowing (a string instrument)
and yet; though; when; in spite of
interval; distance; suitable time; appropriate opportunity; distance between opponents (kendo)
bow (weapon); archery; bow (for a violin, etc.)
tuber; taro; yokel; bumpkin; dud; worthless thing
heating power; thermal power; firepower
pushing though; bulldozing; doing something by force; arm twisting
to mince; to cut fine; to carve; to engrave; to tick away (time); to beat out (e.g. rhythm); to etch (into one's mind)
ultimate; final; last; eventual
thoughtlessly; rashly; unwisely; halfway; half-done; incomplete
to attempt; to test; to try out
to float; to be suspended; to rise to the surface; to appear; to come to mind; to have inspiration