to be at wits' end; to be greatly perplexed; to be troubled
order; command; directions; instructions
to get permission; to get approval; to get the go-ahead
in 8 or 9 cases out of ten; in all probability
firm; strong; unbending; unyielding; uncompromising; stubborn
obstruction; check; hindrance; prevention; impediment; interdiction
to wipe; to mop up; to get rid of (an impression, feeling, blemish, etc.); to dispel (e.g. shame); to erase
rather; sooner; preferably
hard struggle; strenuous effort
desperation; despair; self-abandonment
black and white; monochrome; good and evil; right and wrong; guilt and innocence
eagerly; earnestly; assiduously; diligently; wholeheartedly
to start (something); to start up; to boot (a computer); to launch (a business)
unexpected; unforeseen; inconceivable
establishing; proving; ascertaining; identifying; confirming
being too late; losing one's final chance
to write down; to note; to jot down; to remember
to hang; to suspend; to lower; to reduce; to demote; to move back
to take measures; to take steps; to take action; to make a move
having many difficulties in store; grim prospects
failure to reach agreement
busyness; a lot of things to do; frequent use; heavy use (of); many uses
opposite; opposition; versus; vs.; to (e.g. "winning a game five to three"); equal footing
unfit; unsuitable; unmarketable
superiority; predominance
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
to go into; to come into; to penetrate; to become complicated
in general; generally; as a whole; all in all; altogether
adapting oneself to the requirements of the moment; playing by ear; ad hoc approach
all-purpose; utility; universal; all-powerful; almighty; omnipotent
pride; self-confidence; thinking highly of oneself; being proud of one's abilities or achievements
to win through (e.g. to finals); to advance
for two people's eyes to meet; catching someone's eye; making eye contact; meeting a person's gaze
to stare at each other; to lock eyes with
stiffening; rigidity; rigor; stiffness; ossification; petrification
nonchalant air; unruffled air
increasingly; more and more; decreasingly (when declining); less and less
half and half; fifty-fifty
if one is unlucky; if one is careless