self-deprecation; self-derision; self-mockery; laughing at oneself
to have a limit; to go too far (e.g. joke)
miserable; pitiable; shameful; deplorable; pathetic
retirement; retiring (from a race, match, etc.); dropping out
drying up; running dry; running out; being exhausted; being drained
financials; on the funding (capital) side
power; might; authority; spirits; vigor; vigour
rail (track); (curtain) rail; track (for a sliding door); groundwork; spadework
just kidding; not!; ersatz; imitation; phony
crumbling; collapse; ruin; has-been; wannabe
after all; in the end; anyway; (cannot) possibly; (not) at all; (not) by any means
spare time; free time; time (e.g. time it takes to do something); time off; day off; quitting (one's job)
to try all possible means
dramatic turn-around; major reversal; great comeback; game changer
prize money; monetary award; reward
next; hypo- (i.e. containing an element with low valence); order; sequence
final selection (e.g. of applicants); final screening; shortlisting
wealthy; rich; affluent; well-off
judging; inspection; examination; investigation; review
scholarship; stipend; bursary; student loan
consideration; examination; investigation; study; scrutiny; discussion
to come to a dead end; to come to a standstill; to reach a deadlock; to reach an impasse; to reach a stalemate
to lose heart; to lose motivation
to weaken; to grow weak; to be downcast; to be dejected; to be troubled; to be at a loss
body and soul; mind and body
to get cloudy; to cloud over; to cloud up; to fog up; to be gloomy; to be clouded (expression)
to fall flat; to collapse in a heap
to not give in; to be obstinate; to be stubborn; to be perverse
until something reaches the very limit; until the very last minute; up to the breaking point
to become indisposed; to feel unwell; to have one's physical condition deteriorate
inquiry into; enquiry into; prying (into); investigation; search; exploration
(apparently) that's what it's like, isn't it
to come along; to come around; to turn up; to arrive at the present; to get where one is; to have been doing something (for a period of time)
to dedicate; to make an offering; to supply; to store; to finish; to bring to a close; to restore (something to its place)
to accept; to receive; to agree
to go against; to fight against; to oppose; to resist; to deny