defeat; loss; reverse; setback
the very end; finish; to the very end; to the last; thoroughly
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
to take measures (in face of events being anticipated); to come to an agreement (in bargaining, etc.); to strike a bargain; to clap one's hands together
do-or-die resistance; resistance to the bitter end
(weather) front; front line; forward area; action zone
peace talks; peace negotiations
to take the lead (in doing); to take the initiative; to be the leader
way; method; means; resource; course
(political) administration; political power
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
civil war; insurrection; rebellion; domestic conflict
political disturbance; political change; change of government; political upheaval; overthrowing of a government; coup d'état
(present) head of a family
polite; respectful; reverent
superior airs; air of importance; overemphasis
to knead; to mix with fingers; to quibble; to argue for argument's sake
impudence; cheekiness; impertinence
unique; rare; exceptional; unparalleled; incomparable
misfortune; adverse fortune; hapless fate; checkered (life, career, etc.); varied; eventful
to make narrower; to shut (an umbrella); to shrug (one's shoulders); to purse (one's lips)
opposite; reverse; contrary
to get lost; to lose one's bearings; to be puzzled; to be perplexed; to be tempted; to be seduced
suggestiveness; sensationalism; stirring up strong emotions
trust; confidence; credence
at once; there and then; immediately
to lend; to loan; to rent out; to hire out
in some way or other; one way or another; somehow; only just; barely
innocent; cherubic; childlike
intimacy; affection; familiarity
when it comes to the cause; when you get right down to it; as for what started it; as for the reason; originally
mediation; agency; agent; mediator; middleman; go-between
transfer (of one's name into another family register); transfer (to another team, company, etc.)
token (effort); something done for form's sake
selling out one's country; betraying one's country; treason
to spread rumors; to spread rumours