to explain adequately; to be accountable
candidacy; standing as a candidate; bidding (to host an event, e.g. the Olympics)
stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
just like; (virtually) no different from; (almost) the same as; as good as (e.g. dead, settled)
candidate; contender; prospect; candidacy; candidature; nomination
to ward off; to brush away; to fling off; to drive away
if one is unlucky; if one is careless; if things don't go well
among (other things); especially; particularly; at the same time; simultaneously; at once
to bring into the open; to reveal; to uncover (e.g. evidence); to bring to light
obstruction; check; hindrance; prevention; impediment; interdiction
oh my god!; oh my gosh!; you got me!; wow!
school record (on a student); transcript (of grades); confidential report
decorations; offerings; mere window dressing
name; title; appellation; (under the) pretext (of); pretense
center; centre; middle; -centered; -centred; -focused
road; path; route; way; distance; journey; road (e.g. to victory)
possibly; by some possibility; perhaps
to have an acute sense of smell; to have a good nose (for bargains, something amiss, etc.); to have a keen nose; to have an ability to quickly uncover things
indifferent; half-hearted; dispirited; listless
to make use of aizuchi; to back-channel; to throw in interjections to show that one is paying attention
to join hands together; to join forces; to collaborate
present (e.g. government, administration); current; existing
width; breadth; freedom (e.g. of thought); latitude; gap; difference (e.g. in price)
promptly; quickly; without delay; before others; first
to have an eye on; to zero in on
to look (stare) back at (somebody); to look at again; to re-examine; to prove oneself superior (to someone who had previously been condescending); to look back (behind oneself)
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
quick to take a hint; very responsive; quick on the uptake
to mellow (e.g. personality); to be rounded; to huddle; to cower
position (where one is standing); place where one stands; position; stance; standpoint
to be flustered; to lose one's presence of mind
personal; individual; private
anyway; anyhow; as one likes; by all means; at any cost; no matter what it takes
certain; sure; doubtless; I have no doubt; You can depend on it; It's a safe bet
declaration; statement; assertion
pretending not to know; feigning ignorance
besides; in addition; also; moreover
to blush; to go red in the face; to change color; to change colour
to miss (e.g. a chance); to lose; to set free; to let go; to fail to ...