hitting the ball squarely; matching correctly (e.g. engaging a clutch)
rate; ratio; proportion; percentage
reverse; opposite; converse (of a hypothesis, etc.); inverse (function)
very; greatly; much; just about to; almost; very nearly
to catch; to capture; to grasp (e.g. meaning); to perceive; to captivate; to move (one's heart)
talented; gifted; prodigious; virtuoso; masterful
this (very thing); this precisely
weapon; arms; ordnance; weapon (something used to gain an advantage); asset
sphere; counter for balls
bad (taste); unpalatable; poor; unskillful; ugly; unattractive
respect; esteem; reverence; honour; honor
to detain; to check; to restrain
to look down (on); to condescend (to)
to spit out; to eject; to dump
hard-liners; diehards; (young) man with traditionally masculine interests; tough boy; hard news; reporter who covers political and economic affairs
idling; lazing; slovenly; flirting; philandering; womanizing
harsh (criticism, treatment, etc.); severe; hard; strict
magic; witchcraft; sorcery; spell
to be beaten hollow; to be argued into silence
pert; tomboyish; impudent; (arch.) gallant; (arch.) chivalrous
(those) who are; (that) which is; in the capacity of
crackling (of fire, fireworks, etc.); sparking; sputtering; to fight; to argue
to swipe; to nick; to pilfer; to steal
(cute) suffix for familiar person; cute adjective form
to eat; to drink; to receive (e.g. a blow); to be on the receiving end (of something undesirable); to undergo (trouble)
swing (of a golf club, tennis racket, etc.); swing (boxing); swing
to become used to seeing; to be familiar with
to be much obliged (to someone); to receive favor (favour); to be indebted; to be grateful
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
accepted; fully-fledged; clear; respectable
to court; to woo; to approach defiantly
to spew venom; to speak ill (of people)
in bad shape; not doing well; not going well; out of condition; in poor form
condition; state; health; state (of health); way; manner