to go on the defensive; to play it safe
to be matched against (in a sports contest)
serious wound; serious injury
to bear; to carry on one's back; to take responsibility for; to accept a duty; to receive (wound); to incur (damage)
historical event; ancient event; tradition; folklore; legend
appearing as if something doesn't exist; casual; offhand
left arm; left-handed (baseball pitcher)
to behave; to conduct oneself; to entertain; to treat someone (to a drink); to make tea for someone (tea ceremony)
scorn; disdain; contempt; slight
many people; a large number of people
to cut one's way through; to tide over; to struggle through; to get over
bulky and heavy; massive; solid; dignified; imposing; composed
gift; boon; (good) result; fruit (e.g. of one's efforts)
order; system; structure; set-up; organization; organisation
broken into small fragments; smashed to atoms; fragments and splinters; smithereens
to stuff into; to jam; to shorten; to move closer together; to reduce (spending); to conserve; to focus intently on
to raise one's voice; to shout; to yell; to speak up (e.g. in protest); to speak one's mind
to drag along; to pull; to force someone along; to prolong; to drag out; to influence strongly
exclusive possession; sole ownership; monopoly
to melt into; to dissolve into; to merge into; to blend into (surroundings); to fit in; to adapt to
deed (esp. negative); act; action; one's doing
in 8 or 9 cases out of ten; in all probability
to shake one's head (in denial)
unreasonable; irrational; outrageous; absurd
living flesh; flesh and blood; physical body of Buddha or a bodhisattva
to be injured; to sustain a wound
start; beginning; build up; how well a pitcher pitches at the start of the game
to come out (e.g. hair); to fall out; to collapse (e.g. building, floor); to be left out; to be omitted
fluttering; flapping; (arch.) flickering (light, flame, etc.); frill; piece of thin material
to reply; to respond; to answer; to talk back; to retort
though; although; be that as it may; nonetheless
not necessarily; not entirely; not altogether
it's no joke; gimme a break!
to twist; to wrench; to puzzle over; to defeat easily
muscle; tendon; vein; artery; fiber; fibre; line
to unravel; to untie; to break into small pieces (of fish, meat, etc.); to relax; to ease
real intention; motive; true opinion; what one really thinks