gem; jewel; precious stone
to break into fragments; to go to pieces
God only knows what may happen
dependent on luck; matter of luck
process; procedure; sequence; protocol; instruction
shell; husk; hull; pod; chaff
ancient script; ancient character; ancient alphabet
to become rusted together; to become rusted shut; to rust; to become (completely) rusty; to become rusty (of a skill or ability); to become less effective
to be born and raised (in); to be born and brought up; to be born and bred
to be still half asleep; to be half awake; to be not yet quite awake
to be scheduled to (do); to be expected to (do)
even; flat; level; calm; peaceful; uneventful
to get between; to be caught in
to bring (somebody into a place); to lead into
aim; object; expectations; prospects; something that can be relied upon; snack served with alcoholic drink; pad
another; different; something else
operation; functioning; running
keeper of imperial archives; worker skilled in the brewing of sake or soy sauce
pickled (something); pickled in (something); preserved in; overreliance on (e.g. medication); excessive use of
recklessness; daredevilry; rashness; (arch.) long-lasting
invalid; void; ineffective; unavailable
decisively; decidedly; boldly; precisely; exactly
general; overall; across-the-board
putting one's life on the line; staking one's life (on); risking one's life; life and death situation
quirk of fate; twist of fate; (an) irony
chance to win; opportunity to win; chance of victory
(using) one's whole body; (putting in) all one's efforts; (exerting) all one's energies
to assault with a sword; to stab at; to slash at
to check; to hold back; to keep at bay; to stop; to prevent; to stem
favorite (top choice) for the championship (favourite); best bet for the title
first game; first round (of tennis, etc.)
shuddering; shivering; trembling; being horrified; being disgusted
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum