thin veneer; hasty preparation; knowledge or skill learned as a stopgap; re-tempering a dull sword (so that it looks as if it's sharp, but is actually unusable)
picked troops; elite soldiers; crack troops
search (esp. for someone or something missing); manhunt; legally authorized search of a person, building, etc.
a drop in the bucket; a drop in the ocean; (lit.) (pouring) water on a hot stone
going ahead; going first; preceding; coming before; scoring first; getting off to a lead
wide; extensive; comprehensive; far-reaching; widespread
walking about town; stroll around town; walking the streets (e.g. for exercise)
clearing out people (from room, etc.); ordering people to leave
cleaning; clean-up; garbage collection; scavenging
to find fault with; to question
to make merry; to be festive
do not let your guard down after a victory; (lit.) tighten the strings of your helmet after winning
proverb; maxim; aphorism; Proverbs (book of the Bible)
saying all one has to say (usu. negative, e.g. complaints, insults, etc.)
aizuchi; back-channeling; interjections indicating that one is paying attention; two smiths hammering at an object in turn
refutation; rebuttal; retort
nevertheless; at any rate; even so; all things considered; be that as it may
gold (Au); golden (color); valuable; of highest value; money; gold coin; Friday
is something that; is that which
monster; monstrosity; giant; influential figure; monsterlike; over-demanding
to lie; to cheat; to pretend; to trick; to deceive
Metropolis (of Tokyo); (Tokyo) Metropolitan District; counter for cities and towns; capital
competing; competition; auction
munitions; military stores
very great; enormous; serious
beautiful; lovely; heartwarming; beautiful
in the hand; (something) easily manipulated
to be affected; to be theatrical; to be pompous
however; nevertheless; but; and yet; whereas; while
one wing; (a) role; (a) part
to make someone realize (e.g. their mistake); to bring (something) home to someone; to teach someone a lesson
to be hesitant; to feel timid
to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
to draw or pull something towards oneself (e.g. chair)
to turn over (face down); to lay face down; to point downwards (eyes, head, etc.); to cast down (eyes); to lie (one's body) face down; to lie flat (on the ground)
strict; stern; rigorous; severe
stupid; foolish; idiotic; fool; idiot; blockhead
(a) weakness; shortcoming; failing; sore point
putting on a brave face; put-on cheeriness; pretending one is fine; show of courage; bravado; Dutch courage