clap (sound of wooden clappers); chop vigorously; slight movement (e.g. poke, small bird alighting); the end; originally end of a play, marked by clap of clappers; dot (esp. typographical)
this year; this fiscal year; this school year
dull (e.g. a knife); blunt; thickheaded; obtuse; dull (sound, color, etc.); dim (light)
experience; being accustomed (to something); poise in a critical situation
to gain knowledge; to build up one's knowledge
to examine someone's expression
loser; defeated person; the defeated
salt; common salt; hardship; toil; saltiness; cold
to paint; to plaster; to lacquer; to varnish; to spread; to smear
very; extremely; terrible; horrid; remarkable; extraordinary
to have much trouble; to have a hard time; to not know how to handle
to spit out; to eject; to dump
in the end; at the end of the day
intensiveness; collecting; summarizing; putting together
frightening (of the future); worrying; scary; ominous; portentous
essential; important; crucial; vital; main
home (of something); place famous for its ...; place of origin; birthplace; morning session; last session in the morning
to be born and raised (in); to be born and brought up; to be born and bred
to forge; to temper; to drill; to train; to discipline
genuine article; real thing; real deal
spoiled; spoilt; ruined; loss of face
tip-top; top; top-drawer; best; foremost; elite
to turn one's hand to; to reach out one's hand; to get involved in; to make a move on; to strike; to beat
one or two; a few; small number
to excel at; to be proficient at; to grow old; to ripen; to rise high (e.g. the sun)
to win through (e.g. to the next round); to win game after game; to achieve a final victory; to fight to the end and win; to come out on top
to win fame; to be widely-known; to be well known; to make a name for oneself
making rapid progress; making great advances; rush; dash; onslaught
teaching; instruction; teachings; precept; lesson; doctrine
prediction; prophecy; prognostication
to show signs of ...; to have the appearance of ...
decisive defeat; rout; thrashing; losing big
perhaps; maybe; perchance; by some chance; by any chance
being very active; being very useful; playing a very active part; making a spectacular showing; great efforts; splendid work
mess; sorry state; -ways; -wards; in the act of ...; just as one is ...
to respond; to answer; to meet (e.g. demands, expectations); to affect; to take a toll; to strike home
well-matched (esp. of a couple); becoming; suitable
showing one's face in public; facing another person
proof; testimony; demonstration; verification; certification
to be worried; to be troubled
to take a step backward; to step back (i.e. to re-think something); to distance oneself (from); to behave humbly; to budge (a little); to make one concession
to mow down; to cut down; to knock down; to defeat; to beat
calling repeatedly (e.g. someone's name); pronouncing successively (usu. repeating a syllable with voicing, as in "tsuzuku")
to shout; to cry; to scream; to clamour