trial of strength; test of one's strength (stamina)
at a disadvantage; in an unfavourable position; having poor prospects; standing little chance
chicken; chicken game; chicken race
shift; move; (work) shift; work schedule; gearshift; changing gears
to poke each other; to jab each other
ghastly; gruesome; appalling; lurid
exchange; reciprocation; give-and-take; reply; riposte
bright light; hope; bright future; light emanating from a buddha or bodhisattva, symbolizing their wisdom and compassion
definite; final; decisive; conclusive
to prove successful; to take hold; to amount to something
ice water; shaved ice (usually served with flavored simple syrup)
tactician; schemer; intriguer; resourceful person
I've heard that ...; rumour has it that ...; it appears as if ...
mutually; with each other; reciprocally; together; both
well-matched (esp. of a couple); becoming; suitable
at this stage; at this point; now (contrasting with the past)
to turn; to shift; to alter; to distract
torrential rain; heavy rain; cloudburst; downpour
waterfall; cataract; cascade
as if ...; as if to say ...; as though ...
... being the case; (precisely) because ...; as might be expected from ...
to be settled; to be brought to an end
to choose at one's own discretion; to choose when to do something; to estimate (the time for something)
lavish feast; splendid banquet; corporate largess; lavish hospitality
art; technique; means; way; trick; trap
towards (a destination); for the purpose of; with the goal of; targeting (a group, a demographic)
island; one's territory (e.g. of a sex worker, organized crime gang); one's turf
to come to one's senses; to calm down
middle; midway; middle position; moderate position; interim; intermediary
to drain dry; to dry out; to scorch
to express in a refined fashion; to weave a web of words
banzai; hurray; something to cheer about; something worthy of celebration; giving up; throwing one's hands up
to compile; to bring together; to weave; to put together; to bring to a conclusion; to wrap up
to decide the outcome (e.g. game); to be very different; to be sharply contrasted