Queen Mother; Empress Dowager
long (time); longstanding; for a long time
to form; to shape; to make; to mold; to mould; to build up
to have been decided (so) that; to have been arranged (so) that
profiting while others fight
a head (e.g. taller or shorter); noticeable difference (in competitors' results)
to surpass; to outdo; to excel; to tower above (the surrounding landscape)
growth; development; growing up; growth (of a company, the economy, etc.)
style; manner; way; after (period of time) again (e.g. meeting again after a year); for the first time in (period of time)
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
grace; favor; favour; blessing; benefit
goes without saying; needless to say; obvious
front stage; center stage (of politics, etc.)
standing tall; towering; soaring
to play a central role; to take a leading part
in that manner; like that