destruction; annihilation; extermination
concentration; focusing; convergence; within a collection of works
final stage; final stretch; live printing area (in publishing); gallery (in a theatre); driving (animals, fish, etc.); herding
state-of-the-art; cutting-edge
to challenge (esp. in a lawsuit); to take on an opponent (in negotiations, contest, etc.)
to stab each other; to sacrifice oneself in order to harm someone else
foothold; footing; position; standing; ground
when it comes to ...; concerning; where ... are concerned
to get into a panic; to be flustered; to panic; to get in a flap
fortuitous; luck; windfall; godsend; good fortune
how; in what way; how about; questionable
overlooking; turning a blind eye
to make do with; to manage with; to make shift; to get (something) done in time; to have ready (by)
root and branch; thoroughly; by the roots; completely; all
sad news; news of a death; death notice
December; twelfth month of the lunar calendar
secrecy; confidentiality; privacy; one's circumstances (esp. fiscal)
decisive action; going through with; daring to do; carrying out
devastating; gut-wrenching; shocking; startling; sensational; astounding
holiday; day off; furlough; absence (from work)
falling together; mutual destruction; joint bankruptcy
accepting (acknowledging) the reality
heavy; weighty; heavy (feeling, atmosphere, etc.); serious; gloomy
related to; in relation to; as far as ... is concerned
not the time for; not the place for; far from; anything but; ... is out of the question; ... isn't the word for it
room; chamber; apartment; flat; stable
spread (e.g. of a disease); rampancy; infestation; proliferation; being widespread
hard to please; moody; crusty; fastidious
to become stronger; to grow in intensity; to grow violent; to invite contributions, etc.; to solicit help, participation, etc.; to recruit (e.g. soldiers)
unprepared; careless; imprudent; indiscreet
to be sacked; to be dismissed
land mine; topic that sets someone off; sensitive topic; something that seems fine at first but turns out to be very bad (e.g. product, business); booby trap
field; plain; prairie; tundra; moor; wilderness
being afraid of; being fearful; being timid; trembling; shivering
person in charge (including a supervisory role for other staff); person responsible for ...; responsible party; supervisor; manager
information; making a report (to a superior)
(for) how many days; what day (of the month)
likes and dislikes; pickiness (about food); choosiness; fussiness; tastes; preferences