considerable; great; important; significant; a big deal
academic background; academic credentials; academic record
about the same; about equal to; close match
to bear up in tragedy; to stand pain well; to hold one's temper; to clench one's teeth; to grit one's teeth
to bear; to stand; to support; to withstand; to be fit for; to be equal to
brilliant; splendid; glorious; magnificent; spectacular
business world; business circles; (the) industry
to try and do something; to attempt to do something
to live up to expectations; to meet expectations
willingness (e.g. to do something); eagerness; motivation; inspiration; determination; high aspirations
reality; actuality; hard fact
to differ; to vary; to disagree
outer surface; outward appearance; outside; outside; outer; outward
coming out (as gay, etc.)
once in a lifetime; once in one's life
card (information, filing, etc.); card (greetings, congratulations, etc.); (Western) playing cards; credit card; debit card; match; game
stupid; meaningless; worthless; hopeless (person, situation); beyond help; beyond saving
to snatch away; to dispossess; to steal
deviation; departure; omission
rather; sooner; preferably
to make (the best) use of; to put to good use; to let live; to keep alive; to revive; to resuscitate
recent graduate looking to change jobs
to lick; to lap; to taste; to experience (esp. a hardship); to look down on (someone); to make fun of
back; reverse; rear side; height; stature; ridge (of a mountain)
to be confused; to be bewildered; to be taken aback
to talk about; to speak of; to recite; to chant; to indicate; to show
being argued into silence; being left speechless
at this stage; at this point; now (contrasting with the past)
hating to lose; unyielding; unbending; competitive; sore loser; determined
to be negligent in doing something; to shirk; to be off one's guard
to supplement; to make up for; to compensate for; to cover (a shortage, loss, etc.); to fill (e.g. a vacancy)
concentration; diligence; asceticism; zeal in one's quest for enlightenment; adherence to a vegetarian diet
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
(social) position; status
to ask a question; to ask questions
reaction; response; reaction
to become angry or sullen; to take offense; to be miffed; to come unstuck from; to peel off; to come off
perseverance; determination; tenacity; energy
to rot; to go bad; to corrode; to weather; to become useless; to blunt; to become depraved
for two people's eyes to meet; catching someone's eye; making eye contact; meeting a person's gaze
an eye for people; the ability to judge character