championship game; finals (of a tournament); deciding round
to hold fast; to protect to the end
to acquire a position; to hold an appointment
start of a match; beginning of a game; kickoff
scabbard; sheath; cap (on a brush, pen, 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)
counterattack; slashing back; railway switchback; twisting backward knee trip
breath; breathing; concord; harmony; steam (coming off hot food, tea, etc.); (water) vapor
continuation; succession; series; continuous
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
directly opposite; right in front
locking swords and pushing against each other; close contest; neck-and-neck game; fierce competition
to push into; to cram into; to stuff into; to break in; to burgle; to burglarize
reaction; recoil; kick; backlash
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
via; through; by doing; by means of; using
excuse; explanation; justification; defense; defence
to settle peacefully; to work out peacefully; to come to an amicable solution; to become reconciled
to play (a stringed or keyboard instrument)
to resonate emotionally (with one); to strike home (words, etc.); (lit.) to stab in the chest
to happen to have; to have on hand; to carry (e.g. money)
once; before; formerly; never yet; never before; first time
field of vision; visibility; view; visual field; (one's) ken
flash (of light); glint; schiller
to miss (e.g. a chance); to lose; to set free; to let go; to fail to ...
splendid; magnificent; utter (esp. defeat); total; (arch.) something worth seeing; (arch.) sight
to reverberate; to resound; to echo; to have one's fame spread; to be renowned
metallic sound; metallic clank
to read; to recite (e.g. a sutra); to chant; to predict; to guess; to pronounce; to read (e.g. a kanji)
stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
eyesight; vision; visual acuity
to break; to fracture; to fold; to bend; to make (origami); to interrupt
skewering; skewered food; piercing (and killing; with a spear, etc.); impaling; running through
to paw (at) the ground; to struggle (using one's arms and legs); to flounder; to struggle (to escape an adverse situation); to strive
to shake; to waver; to tremble
chance to win; opportunity to win; chance of victory
to sense; to perceive; to understand; to comprehend; to attain enlightenment
bitterness; distress; pain; bitterness and astringency
to fall completely silent; to become still as death
assembly hall; meeting place; venue; site; grounds
to pray; to say a prayer; to say grace; to wish; to hope