difficult situation; adverse circumstances; predicament; trouble; dilemma; distress
to be defeated; to be beaten; to be unsuccessful; to lose
flair; flash; insight; flash (of inspiration, wit, etc.); waving (e.g. of a flag in the wind)
characteristic; feature; special quality
ability; capability; skill
dual nature; bilateral character; two-facedness; two-sidedness
outside the hall (or stadium, market, etc.); off the grounds; off the premises; off-track
to pour water (into); to dilute with water; to hinder; to hamper; to throw cold water on
obstacle; hindrance; impediment; nuisance; bore; burden
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
interpersonal; between individuals
obstacle; impediment; hindrance; handicap; impairment; disability
in some way or other; one way or another; somehow; only just; barely
to wipe the slate clean; to start anew
to swear; to vow; to take an oath; to pledge
watchful waiting; careful supervision
loser; defeated person; the defeated
party; set; gang; company; person
in the end; at the end of the day
eccentric; crank; oddball
feel uneasy; on tenterhooks; in suspense; on pins and needles
to grow up; to become an adult; to become big; to grow in size
for some reason or other; somehow; whatsitsname; what-you-call-it; and so on; and you know the rest
being stuck between a rock and a hard place; being in a dilemma; being torn between conflicting demands
to raise one's voice; to lift one's voice; to speak emphatically
backing; support; backer; shield that protects one's back
to keep company; to look after; to entertain; to play (a game) with
to compare (something) to; to liken; to speak figuratively; to use a simile; to use a metaphor
independent action; acting alone
and yet; even so; nonetheless; for all that
foreign substance; foreign body; strange object; unusual object; (arch.) dead body; (arch.) corpse
to tower above the rest; to be by far the best; to be prominent; to be outstanding; to be a cut above
gazing steadily at; observing (a person) closely; maintain a watch over
words of praise; eulogy; compliment