at the last moment; this late in the game
to take command; to give direction
fellow; guy; thing; object; he; she
devil; demon; Satan; the Devil; Māra; evil spirits or forces that hinder one's path to enlightenment
which way; which direction; which one (esp. of two alternatives); who
change; alteration; difference; distinction; something wrong; abnormality
taking over; handing over; transfer of control; inheriting; passing on the baton
to get down to business; to cut to the chase; to get straight to the point; to move on to the main subject
approximately; about; promise; appointment; shortening; reduction
to face (each other); to be facing; to be directed toward (the future, etc.); to be in response to; to receive (a client, etc.); to compare with
doing together (as equals); sharing; common (land, etc.); joint (statement, etc.); cooperation; co-operation
attack on both sides; pincer movement; double envelopment
state; condition; situation; appearance; circumstances
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
to lend an ear; to hearken; to give an ear to; to listen carefully
after an interval of ... years; for the first time in ... years
speech; eloquence; manner of speaking; manner of expression
word for word; verbatim; a single word and a single phrase
to fail to hear something; to miss; to act as if one didn't hear something; to let a remark slide
offensive (movement); aggression
to start; to begin; to challenge; to pick (a fight); to set (traps); to plant (explosives)
to distance oneself (from); to keep (something or someone) at a distance; to maintain a distance (from)
effect; effectiveness; efficacy; effects (e.g. sound effects, visual effects, special effects)
thin; pale; light; watery; thin; weak (taste, etc.); little (affection, etc.) not much (of a presence)
having said that; on the other hand
interval; distance; suitable time; appropriate opportunity; distance between opponents (kendo)
to stuff into; to jam; to shorten; to move closer together; to reduce (spending); to conserve; to focus intently on
negative; passive; half-hearted; unmotivated
protection; defense; providence; amulet; charm
to consider as; to regard (as equivalent); to deem (as); to equate
prospects of victory; chances of success
not having enough workers; being understaffed; being undermanned; having nothing one can do about something; having no options
desperation; self-abandonment
possible; likely; probable
reserve; constraint; declining; refraining; forethought; foresight
wildcard (in hanafuda); storm card; gaji (term used in Hawaii); extra card (in hanafuda, kabufuda, etc.; sometimes depicting an ogre); joker; blank card
to expedite; to encourage; to spur (on)
as (for); for; in the capacity of
contacting; (making) contact; connection (with a train, bus, etc.); joining (a railway line, etc.); connection (between matters, incidents, etc.); relation
to raise; to bring up; to rear; to cultivate; to foster; to nurture