to ward off (e.g. an attack); to fend off (e.g. a question); to elude; to evade; to dodge; to turn aside (e.g. a joke)
painful; bitter; tough; difficult; cruel; harsh
certainly; surely; definitely
to kick about; to kick around; to scatter (a crowd, the enemy, etc.); to rout
to declare; to speak out; to warn; to spit out (words)
gallant; brave; imposing; awe-inspiring; severe; biting
reliable; trustworthy; hopeful; promising
preparation; arrangements
attitude; manner; behaviour; attitude (towards an issue, etc.); position; stance
some; (a) little; somewhat; to some extent; in part
soft; tender; gentle; mild; informal; light
when one was a very young child; very early in one's life
guardianship; guardian; (theatrical) assistant; prompter
to teach thoroughly; to instill (into); to instil; to inculcate; to drum (into); to drill (into)
teacher; master; religious leader; specialist; (arch.) five-battalion brigade comprising 2500 men (Zhou-dynasty Chinese army)
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still
suspension (from work or school)
leaving out; omitting; skipping; (beating) in succession; in a row
subjugation (using military force); suppression; subduing
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
disagreeableness; unpleasantness; nastiness; cutting remark; disagreeable remark; snide comment
to entrust; to leave to a person
private talk; confidential talk; secret talk
to hold back others from achieving success; to stand in the way of; to sabotage
logistical support; combat service support
to take someone's life; to kill someone
it is ... that ...; precisely; although; while; it is precisely because ... that ...; only because ...
to the end; to the bitter end; to the last; after all; it must be remembered; only
insignificant; inconsequential; trifling; negligible; of little importance
to be extremely cautious; to be as sure as sure can be; to make assurance doubly sure
to tear off; to strip; to rob
one's heart; one's mind; one's intentions
occupation (e.g. of territory); exclusive possession
pair; the two; both persons; both things
situation; outlook; one's allegiance; affiliation; position
training; drill; practice; discipline
picked troops; elite soldiers; crack troops
to push; to press; to apply pressure from above; to press down; to stamp (i.e. a passport); to apply a seal; to affix (e.g. gold leaf)
natural; understandable; reasonable; no wonder
reason; logic; sense; truth; right
taking something into consideration; making allowances; discounting