to reach a situation about which nothing can be done
at a stroke; with a single swoop
faint hopes; dim prospects; little hope; unlikely (to be successful)
by any standard; (not) even as flattery
bargaining point; terms of exchange; conditions for meeting a demand
honest; upright; cleanhanded; unselfish
to be related; to be connected; to be joined together; to result in; to lead to; to bring about
difficult to imagine; quite unlikely to; very doubtful; would not expect
reliable; dependable; trustworthy; sure
as soon as; no sooner than; one way or another; objection
military general skilled at strategy
to induce (someone to do something); to tempt; to act toward (someone in a certain way); to handle (men); to send; to forward to
absolutely; completely; utterly; really; simply; only
to be certain of; to have faith in; to believe completely; to trust (someone completely)
terrific; staggering; tremendous; frightful; ghastly; horrific
resignation; acceptance; consolation
to do one's best; to put forth every effort
fortune; fate; chance; coincidence; (stroke of) luck
main purpose; primary objective
to stop (doing); to cease; to desist; to drop; to lay off; to give up
to close one's eyes partly; to squint; to smile with one's whole face; to smile sweetly (at); to look fondly (at)
rational; reasonable; logical
bewilderment; perplexity; embarrassment; confusion
the trouble is that ...; the problem is that ...; unfortunately; annoyingly
to look out on; to overlook; to face (a situation, crisis, etc.); to meet (e.g. death); to deal with (an issue); to attend (e.g. a function)
along the road; along the way
reorganization; reorganisation; reshuffle
to declare confidently; to declare proudly; to declare dramatically; to strike a pose (for dramatic effect)
laid-back; carefree; easygoing; thoughtless; happy-go-lucky
dismissal (from a post); discharge; removal
what one desires; what one hopes for; suits me well; could ask for nothing better; bring it on
purpose; utility; objective; way to use something
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
to decorate; to ornament; to display; to exhibit; to mark (e.g. the day with a victory); to adorn (e.g. the front page)
than; rather than; instead of; from; since; except
timid; weak-kneed; fainthearted; bearish
discontent; dissatisfaction; complaint; grievance
to eat up (completely); to put down (a rebellion); to suppress; (arch.) to make flat; (arch.) to level out
great emperor; ... the Great
world's first; first in the world
murmur; mutter; murmuring; tweet; Twitter post
mixed with; mingled with; interspersed with; dashed with; sprinkled with