average; medium; mid-grade (item); regular grade; same level as; equal to
good-for-nothing; spineless; gutless; spiritless; feckless; pluckless
tearing; ripping; crunching; munching; stiff; starchy; (working) hard
clique; group; (political) faction; wing; school; sect
absurd; unreasonable; excessive; very; extremely; excessively
to rage; to storm (at); to be furious; to enthuse; to speak enthusiastically; to speak with vigour
anonymity; using an assumed name
verbal message; word (from someone)
instead of; in place of; as a substitute for; in exchange for; in return for; to make up for
to wish someone good luck; to wish someone success
encouragement; spurring (on); cheering (on)
final adjustment; final coordination
to come together; to join; to get married; to become a married couple
(one's) whereabouts; destination; where one is headed; outcome; course (of events); future
(establishing a) big lead; (winning by a) huge margin; breaking away (from the field)
to herd; to drive; to corner; to force someone into doing; to go hard; to push yourself
falling together; mutual destruction; joint bankruptcy
special; particular; extraordinary; exceptional; especial
true; real; genuine; proper; utter
before very long; soon; someday; of the previously mentioned; of that number; among them
being a match for a thousand; being a mighty warrior (combatant, player)
another time; again; over again; formally; especially; intentionally
(face) mask; (facial) features; looks; mask (e.g. for circuit etching)
to abuse; to exploit to the full; to give free rein to
young person; youth; young
that's true; of course; obviously
measuring by feel; adjusting by feel; doing by feel; adapting to the situation (one's strength, strictness, etc.); making allowances; using discretion
desperately; for one's dear life
it's not over yet; you haven't seen anything yet; it's not over until the fat lady sings; it's too soon to tell; we're not out of the woods
opening performance; opening act; curtain raiser; minor performer; minor storyteller; subordinate part
iron wall; impregnable fortress; impregnable; invulnerable; unassailable
protection; defense; providence; amulet; charm
nonchalant; unconcerned; in a casual manner
mode (musical mode, mode of probability distribution, state of physical system); fashion
from long ago; from old times; from time immemorial
old-timer; veteran; senior; old stump; old roots