to be hesitant; to feel timid
preemptive strike; preemptive attack; first strike
apron of a gun; cover for the touch-hole on a cannon or matchlock
declaration; proclamation; announcement
to rule; to govern; to administer
treaty; pact; convention; agreement
conclusion; execution (of a contract); entering (into treaty); fastening (as in a joint)
threat; intimidation; menace
provocation; stirring up; arousal; excitement; stimulation
hostility; antagonism; opposition
at first; at the outset; to begin with; as a first step
prompt; immediate; in real time
evacuation; withdrawal; revocation; repeal; retreat
profile; face in profile; face seen from the side; (personal) profile; (biographical) sketch; outline (of someone's life)
reckless; thoughtless; rash; ill-advised; impulsive; mad (e.g. scheme)
beyond this point; from now on; after this
absolutely essential; indispensable; vital; critical
to be crowded; to be packed; to be complex; to go into; to put into; to do intently
to open hostilities; to take up arms (against)
as is; as it is; as things are; like this; this way; at this rate
live coals (for firelighting); cause (of disturbance, conflict, etc.); trigger
obstruction; check; hindrance; prevention; impediment; interdiction
statement; remark; observation; utterance; speech; proposal
complication; confusion; disorder
start; beginning; build up; how well a pitcher pitches at the start of the game
comfortable; easy; calm; loose; spacious
to talk; to chat; to chatter
to start the debate; to get the ball rolling; to fire the first shot; to start a conversation
to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (as); to act (as); to conduct a religious service
to be called ...; to be referred to as ...
personal combat; one-to-one fight
to be nearing death; to be dying
to worry about; to be anxious about; to be concerned about; to lament; to grieve; to feel sorrow for
humanity; empathy; kindness; human nature; common sense; customs and manners
opposite side; bottom; rear; back; lining; inside; in the shadows
one day; (on) a certain day
self-proclaimed; self-professed; professing oneself to be; calling oneself; first person
cannot be helped; unavoidable
strongly; violently; quickly; suddenly
to lay bare; to expose; to reveal
which reminds me ...; come to think of it ...; now that you mention it ...; on that subject ...; so, if you say ...
to become broken; to break down; to be crazy; to be nuts; to be infatuated with; to be outdone (by someone)