taking the podium; mounting the rostrum; going on stage to give a speech, etc.
every person; each one; everybody
each (person); individually; one by one; one at a time; in turn
in turns; in series; in number order; by rotation
on the occasion of; at the time of
in preparation (for); in case (of); in the lead-up (to)
in spite of; regardless of
negative; passive; half-hearted; unmotivated
large stage; grand stage; the big stage; grand setting
to accomplish; to finish; to carry through; to follow through
ordinary; nothing special; nothing to exclaim over
reliable; trustworthy; hopeful; promising
to guess; to sense; to presume; to sympathize with; to sympathise with
vigilance; caution; alertness; precaution; being on guard
last moment; eleventh hour; platform made of dirt used to perform executions (decapitations) in the Edo period
difficult; tough; formidable; redoubtable; stubborn
coming; going; being (somewhere); come; go; stay
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
hang in there; go for it; keep at it; do your best