to precede; to forestall; to anticipate
to nip (something) in the bud
small war flag attached to the back of one's armour during battle
to brandish; to flourish; to wave; to swing; to shake at
quite right; indeed; truly; well said
beginning of hostilities; beginning of competition
to take something into ...; to bring in; to lodge (a complaint); to file (a plan); to bring to (a state: tied game, vote, trial, etc.)
shallow; superficial; thoughtless; short-sighted; foolish; silly
out-of-place; inappropriate; sticking out like a sore thumb
quick; speedy; prompt; rapid; swift
assistance; backing; reinforcements
main body (of an army); main force; these troops
allied forces; the Allies (e.g. in WWII)
glib; smooth-talking; silver-tongued
presumably; it seems that ...; I guess that ...; I suppose that ...; one could infer that ...
to have an audience (with); to have an interview (with); to meet; to see
and; or; and the like; and so forth; and what not
very; extremely; extreme; excessive; splendid; impressive
tedious talk; impertinent talk; repetitious talk; saucy speech; pretentious statement
(nearly certain) death; extremely dangerous place (or situation) from which one might not return alive; proper place to die; dilemma; predicament
one's habitual practice; usual measure; old trick
to one's heart's content; as much as one wants
to start a bout with the turn of a referee's fan
group engaged in some activity (players, companies, forces, etc.)
accompanying; travelling together; traveling together; same bank
government service; the bureaucracy
to air; to dry; to drain (off); to drink up; to deprive of a role, job, etc.
both armies; both teams; both sides
to open hostilities; to take up arms (against)
one sweep (of the eye); sweeping view; unbroken view
point (of a sword, etc.); pointed verbal attack
volley firing; fusillade; broadside
bulletproof; protection (or charm) against bullets