to tower above the rest; to be by far the best; to be prominent; to be outstanding; to be a cut above
bad example from which one can learn; good example of what not to do (esp. how not to behave); negative example
cause for headaches; pain in the neck; source of worry
self-conceit; self-centeredness; vainglory
appointment (to a position, job, etc.); being used for a role; promotion
waypoint (e.g. with a GPS); checkpoint
to not take seriously; to take lightly
commander-in-chief; supreme commander; captain (of a team)
sending and receiving; transception; to transceive; to send and receive
predictable; repetitive; being in a rut; set in one's ways
becoming stereotyped; getting stuck in a rut; humdrum; mannerism (art, etc.)
way; method; means; resource; course
new ground (science, art, etc.); new front; new scope; frontier
to become enthusiastic; to have a crush (on); to lose one's head (to); to become earnest
(corporate) bankruptcy; insolvency; commercial failure; failed business
ignition; catching fire; firing (e.g. gun); discharging
to feign ignorance; to pretend one doesn't know
to give; to present; to offer; to do for someone's sake
replacement; substitution; change; shunting (rail); switching
rule; established routine; standard operating procedure; SOP
turning point; change; transition; (arch.) point of difference
difference; disparity; gap
to assign; to allot; to divide among; to distribute; to prorate; to assess
easygoing; optimistic; conceited
common sense; common knowledge; common understanding
to rearrange (classes); to recompose; to reset; to recombine (genes)
mixed (e.g. team, chorus)
cannot be avoided (of a problem, etc.); unavoidable; inevitable
same row; same line; same file; same rank; same level; same category
dazzling; glaring; dazzlingly beautiful
winter landscape; winter scenery; wintry landscape; wintry scene
favoritism; favouritism; partiality; prejudice; bias
merit system (as opposed to seniority); meritocracy; ability-ism
seniority by length of service
to be foolish; to be stupid; to be ridiculous
from what (I've) seen; given that ...