to match; to be a match for; to rival; to equal; to compare with
to use abusive language; to curse; to call someone names
surplus; margin; leeway; composure; placidity; complacency
evasion; avoidance; recusal (of a judge)
to knock (ideas) against each other; to present competing ideas; to have a lively exchange of ideas; to smash together; to crash into each other; to throw at each other
life or death struggle; mortal combat; struggle to the death
technology; engineering; technique; skill; art; craft
dramatic (improvement); remarkable (difference); marked; (far) better; exceptional
to exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.); to surpass; to be more than; to be better than
standing comparison with; comparing favorably with; by no means inferior to; equal to
to get used to; to grow accustomed to; to become skilled in; to become experienced at; to become tame; to become domesticated
elegance; dandyism; sophistication; affectation; showing off; putting on an air
some people; a number of people; several people; a few people
to attract (to oneself, e.g. with bait or light); to draw close; to charm; to attract; to have a convulsion; to convulse
just one person; only one
grinding of the teeth; involuntary nocturnal tooth grinding; bruxism; grinding one's teeth out of anger or vexation; gnashing one's teeth; gritting one's teeth
around here; hereabouts; (around) this point; about now
area; vicinity; side; edge; circumstances
still; much more; (not) yet; still a long way to go; still a long way off; not there yet
insufficiency; deficiency; shortage; dissatisfaction; discontent; complaint
unripe; green; immature; immature; inexperienced; unskilled
gaining time; stalling for time; time-buying
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it,...; I mean
to see through (a lie, scheme, etc.); to see into (someone's mind); to read (someone's true feelings); to penetrate
to fan (oneself, flames, etc.); to flap (in the wind); to instigate; to stir up; to drive up prices (by buying a large amount of something); to take a photo from a low angle; to tailgate
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
set; suit; uniform collection; entirely; all; every one
famous; noted; renowned; celebrated; well-known
gentle; quiet; mild; quiet (color, pattern, etc.); sober
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
interior; inside; internal
to stoop; to lean over; to bend forward; to bend down; to crouch; to squat
exchange of blows; long rally
important; essential; significant; major; key; principal
shielding; sheltering; screening; shading; masking
separation (e.g. by a screen, curtain, or door)
area (measurement); square measure; size (of land); floor space
head; hair (on one's head); mind; brains; leader; chief; top
low (rank, degree, value, content, quality, etc.); low (position); close to the ground; short (height); deep (voice); in a low key
to loosen; to slacken; to relax (attention, efforts, etc.); to let down (one's guard); to relax (a rule); to ease (e.g. restrictions)
to be used up; to be run out; to be exhausted; to be consumed; to come to an end
sweet-tasting; sweet; fragrant (smelling); sweet (music); lightly salted; light in salt; indulgent
to this extent; to this degree; this much
enormous; gargantuan; immense; ridiculously large