underhand grip; backhand grip (e.g. in tennis); unexpected twist; turning the tables (on an opponent)
good performance; good work; great success
defense; defence; safeguard; protection
to ward off (e.g. an attack); to fend off (e.g. a question); to elude; to evade; to dodge; to turn aside (e.g. a joke)
structure; construction; posture (e.g. in martial arts); pose; readiness; determination
to do something in readiness for; to get something (needful) done
victory or defeat; issue (of battle); outcome
unripe; green; inexperienced; immature; unskilled
to reach; to amount to; to be up to the task; to come up to; to compare with; to be a match (for)
invincible; unrivaled; unrivalled; matchless; unbeatable; undefeatable
sophism; chop logic; far-fetched argument; quibble; cavil; argument for argument's sake
oneself; oneself; for oneself; personally
to raise; to lift; to boost; to enhance
and then; in addition to that; also; even so
teaching; instruction; teachings; precept; lesson; doctrine
simple honesty; tactless frankness
impure; adulterated; foul; mixed; dishonest
to have a cramp; to twitch; to stiffen (of a face, expression); to freeze; to shrink (of skin, due to a scar); to tauten
anticlimax; let-down; disappointment; loss of interest
doesn't amount to doing (something); not significant enough to require (something); unnecessary
to weigh on one's mind; to trouble one's heart; to be concerned about; to worry about
senior pupil (of the same master); senior disciple; senior student; senior member
to polish; to shine; to brush (e.g. teeth); to refine (e.g. a skill); to improve; to cultivate
put; place; leave; do (in preparation)
surely; undoubtedly; sternly; severely; having no slack; rigid
to perform in tune with each other; to get along well; to be in perfect harmony; to make a perfect pair (team, etc.)
luxury; extravagance; treat (i.e. at somebody's expense)
ho-ho-ho (e.g. Santa Claus)
admirable; commendable; praiseworthy; laudable; brave; heroic
even though; despite; when
cold (to the touch); chilly; icy; (emotionally) cold; coldhearted; unfeeling
how; in what way; how about; questionable
minimum; (very) least; at least some (comfort, etc.); only (consolation, saving grace, etc.); sole
seeing two people (i.e. romantically) at the same time; two-timing; bifurcation; fork; fence-sitting; playing it both ways
dirt; filth; stain; blot; spot
to wash away; to rinse off
thanks; gratitude; manners; etiquette; bow; reward; gift
to shine on; to illuminate; to compare (with); to refer to
worn-out; ragged; crumbling; dry and crumbly; falling (in drops or clumps); scattering
My goodness!; Good lord!; Holy cow!
the last moment; the very end