to excel at; to be proficient at; to grow old; to ripen; to rise high (e.g. the sun)
trump card; ace up one's sleeve; secret weapon
to go down in history; to be recorded in the history books
to unfold; to unroll; to open
laws of nature; physical laws; physics
killer technique; surefire assassination method; special or lethal move, usu. one unique to a certain fighter or fighting style
ordinary person; run-of-the-mill people; John Doe; Jane Doe
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
the last moment; the very end
now advancing and now retreating; ebb and flow; seesawing; taking alternately favorable and unfavorable turns
offense and defense; offence and defence
white heat; incandescence; becoming excited; getting heated (e.g. of a discussion); reaching a climax
to match (rhythm, speed, etc.); to join together; to unite; to face; to be opposite (someone); to compare; to check with
to apply the art of resuscitation (in judo, etc.); to breathe life into; to stimulate; to encourage someone
steady; sound; reliable; solid
showy; loud; gay; flashy; gaudy
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
when it comes to ...; if one were to speak of ...; by ... you mean ...; when you say ... you mean that ...; whenever ...; if it's ... then (without fail)
fighting a good fight; putting up a good fight; fighting bravely
to be placed on; to be set on; to be piled on; to appear (in print); to be mentioned; to be recorded
flexible; lithe; soft; pliable
making efficient; optimization
equal (in ability); even; evenly matched; well-matched; on par (with)
heating power; thermal power; firepower
amount of material resources
to attack; to assault; to assail
audience; spectator; spectators
resolute; determined; bold
(stage) appearance; performance; participation (e.g. in a tournament)
one's social position; one's place; one's standing
beginning of the game; kickoff; face-off
frame; framework; border; box; limit; restriction; category
participants; participating athletes
to break; to smash; to defeat; to destroy; to eliminate
to win through (e.g. to finals); to advance
equal match; good match; fair match; equal in ability; being a worthy rival
main constituent; core; nucleus; subject (philosophical); protagonist
to offer (a suggestion, etc.); to propose (an idea, etc.); to approach with (a proposal, etc.)
to start; to begin; to challenge; to pick (a fight); to set (traps); to plant (explosives)
to destroy; to demolish; to disturb; to put into disorder; to relax (one's pose); to make oneself at ease; to break (a bill)
scaffold; scaffolding; foothold; footing; foothold (e.g. in business); foundation
to be caught in; to be stuck in; to stop by; to drop in for a short visit; to get mixed up in (trouble); to get entangled in (a problem); to fall for (a trick)
to meet (the enemy) and attack; to engage (the approaching enemy); to confront; to intercept
to win and advance to the next round