big moment (e.g. performance, in the spotlight); gala occasion; (on the) world stage
glance; look; glimpse; complete view; bird's-eye view
to half-rise to one's feet
last years; closing years; last days; closing days; end; last stage
to be harmful to; to hinder; to interfere with; to irritate
notice; notification; permission; consent; rejection; refusal
to (be able to) agree (with); to be able to accept; to find acceptable; to be convinced; to understand
easily; readily; with ease; without trouble
person of paramount authority; supreme wielder of power
strict; severe; stringent; rigorous; rigid; firm
evening; night; nighttime
vertex; apex; top (e.g. of a mountain); summit; top (of a profession, field, etc.); summit
cold; frigid; dignified; distinguished; (of an atmosphere) tense; nerve-racking
to say; to be pleased to say
special selection; finest pick; top pick
just; justifiable; right; due; proper; equitable
appointment; nomination; ordination; commission; designation
to descend; to go down; to be handed down (of an order, judgment, etc.); to pass (of time); to surrender; to capitulate; to be less than
piece of paper; slip of paper; strip of paper; scrap of paper
to ignite; to set fire to; to spark (an incident, etc.); to inflame (a situation, etc.)
in the twinkling of an eye; in a flash
to burn; to burn with (emotion, feeling); to be fired up
firm; strong; solid; stable
defense; defence; protection
to take (a resource, e.g. time or money); to hang; to come into view; to arrive; to come under (a contract, a tax); to start (engines, motors); to attend
to fail to die (after attempting suicide); to fail to kill oneself; to come close to dying; to be almost killed; to survive (when others died); to outlive others
putting one's hands behind one's back; having one's hands behind one's back; behind; rear; back
to carry (something) under cover; to carry concealed
to glare; to dazzle; to glitter
extraordinary; preposterous; outrageous; absurd
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
knowing how to swim with the tide; being good at dealing with things
parent; parents; dealer; banker; founder; inventor; (pet) owner
high rating; good reputation
joyful (news, event, etc.); joyous; delightful (e.g. result); pleasing (e.g. sight); gratifying; welcome
to carry up; to bring up; to lift up; to elevate (someone) to a high position; to convince someone to accept a post (esp. through flattery)
bad; wrong; evil; no good; wicked; reprehensible
to scheme; to plan; to play a trick; to invent; to conspire; to frame up