regular customer; regular patron; regular visitor; constant companion
equal match; good match; fair match; equal in ability; being a worthy rival
influential person; powerful person; big wheel; big gun; power behind the throne
abhorrent; abominable; detestable; ominous; inauspicious; unlucky
to fight to the bitter end
classic; traditional; orthodox; proper
palm (of one's hand); skill; (in one's) grip; (under one's) control; one's (concealed) intentions; one's cards
material; materials; data; information; documents
(please) try to; (please) look; seeing; looking
one step higher; one better; cut above; one up
time (three times, each time, etc.); times
to make (someone) realize (e.g. their mistake); to bring (something) home (to someone); to teach (someone) a lesson
to be effeminate; to be a fop; to break into a smile; to grin
the facts; the truth; the true state of affairs; in truth; in fact; in reality
strict; formal; strait-laced; stuffy; prudish; serious
recklessly; thoughtlessly; pamperingly; indulgently; shoo!; heave-ho; hallo
reputation; respectability
ingenious idea; excellent plan; bright idea
to weaken; to grow weak; to be downcast; to be dejected; to be troubled; to be at a loss
out of luck; (at the) end of one's rope
promise; vow; engagement; convention; rule; resolution
shield; buckler; escutcheon; pretext; excuse; grounds (for)
all-weather; weather-proof
honest; respectable; respectable occupation (i.e. not yakuza, prostitute, etc.); person in a respectable occupation
panoramic view; bird's-eye view
another name; nickname; alias; synonym
growth stock; person with future promise
favorite (to win); favourite; one's heart's desire; first choice; chocolate given to a man on Valentine's day out of genuine sentiment
(one's) initials; first letter (of a name, sentence, etc.); initial; first
remarkable ability; mastery; brilliant technique; go-getter; resourceful person; wizard
face; honour; meld; lineup (of players participating in a mahjong game); attendees (e.g. at a meeting); members
to become frightened; to get scared; to be seized with fear; to be intimidated; to lose one's nerve; to get cold feet
adverse circumstances; unfortunate situation; adversity