sweeping victory; easy victory
desperation; struggle to the death
to come to the point; to get straight to the point; to speak frankly; to speak plainly; to talk straight
(religious) piety; faith; devotion
making light of; thinking little of; slighting; belittling; dismissing; contempt
to challenge (a person) to a fight
opponent; adversary; the competition; the other side; one's enemy
ability; competency; talent; skill; capacity
thoroughness; completeness; consistency; thorough enforcement; seeing to it that a policy, etc. is carried out without exception
striking with the back of the sword
to flick off; to give (someone) the flick; to send (something) flying; to hit (a person); to knock down
look (esp. an angry or upset look); expression
tool; implement; means; furniture
even; if only; if just; as long as; the only thing needed
to throw a punch at; to swing at; to strike out at; to raise a hand against
something; nothing (with neg. verb)
to strangle; to constrict
fair and square; open and aboveboard
strong person; the strong; the powerful
opening; gap; dried and opened fish
trespassing; intrusion; to barge into; to burst into; to trespass
to trample underfoot; to tread on; to crush with a foot
certain; unmistaken; evident; obvious; beyond doubt
feeling good; feeling at ease; feeling easy
three times; thrice; third (musical interval); many times; over and over again
championship game; finals (of a tournament); deciding round
to hold fast; to protect to the end
to acquire a position; to hold an appointment
beginning of the game; kickoff; face-off
scabbard; sheath; cap (on pen, brush, etc.); case; margin (between two prices); spread
to extract; to pull out; to draw out; to headhunt; to lure away; to poach
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
upper tier; upper section; place of honor; place of honour; dais; raised part of floor
to take down; to bring down; to drop off (a passenger); to let off; to withdraw (money); to use for the first time; to wear for the first time
slanting; tilted; sloping; distorted (feeling); slanted (e.g. view of the world); bad (mood)
railway switchback; twisting backward knee trip
breath; breathing; tone; mood
continuation; succession; series
falling far short (of); being far behind; being far inferior (to); being no match (for)
spirit; soul; drive; vigor; vigour
to exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.); to surpass; to be more than; to be better than