stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
marking; grading; scoring
scoring; score; points made; marks obtained; goals; runs
to some extent; to a certain extent
round robin; having no losing tickets (of a lottery); brute force (in cryptography); using all combinations
hit; success; guess; prediction; affability; friendliness; sensation
final; eventual; ultimate
entry (event, competition, etc.); applying for entry; registering to participate; entry (blog, database, etc.); post
increase and decrease; fluctuation
fixed number (of people); prescribed number (of regular personnel, students, etc.); quota; capacity (of a bus, boat, theatre, etc.); seating capacity
little less than; slightly fewer than; just under; weakness; the weak
repetition; repeat; reiteration; repeatedly
to read thoroughly; to read repeatedly; to express (e.g. emotion in poetry); to read (extra meaning) into (something); to fetch (e.g. CPU inst.); to read (data into a system)
division into groups; separation into classes (e.g. of schoolchildren according to ability)
to win and advance to the next round
repechage; revival series
revival (e.g. musical); come-back; restoration; rebirth; resurrection
unwillingly; reluctantly; against one's will
favorite (top choice) for the championship (favourite); best bet for the title
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
round-robin tournament; round-robin competition
(not) always; (not) necessarily; (not) entirely; (not) all
complete victory; winning a tournament with no losses
first place; first rank; unit's position; Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata)
prize winner; pennant winner; victor
in comparison with; when compared with; according to; in light of; in view of
no problem; all right; not an issue; unobjectionable
to have a go; to try and do (something); to take a chance with something
to knock together; to strike against each other; to arrange (e.g. a meeting); to discuss (in advance)
preparatory phase; preparatory period
advantages and disadvantages; interests (of parties)
coincidence; agreement; conformity; consistency; cooperation
pushing; backing; boosting; pushing from behind (a cart, etc.); pusher
as much as possible; as far as possible; whenever possible; if (at all) possible
to rebuild; to reconstruct
exhausting work; hard work; severe duty
warm (treatment, reception, etc.); kind; cordial; hospitable; courteous; respectful
to maintain itself; to last; to make itself pay; to make a living; to keep going
to stagnate; to be delayed; to be left undone; to be overdue (of a payment); to fall into arrears; to be outstanding
reward; honorarium; remuneration
special Diet session; special session of the Diet; Diet session required to be convoked within thirty days of a general election