quick; speedy; prompt; rapid; swift
valuation; appraisal; evaluation; appreciation; recognition; acknowledgement
(political) administration; political power
base; basis; bedrock; platform
in a sense; in some way; to an extent
(not) always; (not) necessarily; (not) entirely; (not) all
plan; scheme; plot; design; project; intention
to crumble away; to collapse
now advancing and now retreating; ebb and flow; seesawing; taking alternately favorable and unfavorable turns
both armies; both teams; both sides
casualties; the killed and wounded
deadlock; standstill; stalemate; impasse; standoff
to fall into (e.g. a hole); to fall into (chaos, depression, dilemma, illness, etc.); to fall into (a trap, etc.); to fall; to surrender
day by day; by the day; (arch.) daily; (arch.) every day
power; authority; influence
inside and outside; interior and exterior; inside and outside the country; home and abroad; around; about
third stage; three stages; third dan (in martial arts, go, shogi, etc.)
to disdain; to look down on; to make light of; to hold in contempt; to scorn; to despise
period; epoch; the times; those days; oldness; ancientness
decorative curtain hung from the ceiling; tent; pavilion; marquee
reprimand; rebuke; reproach; scolding
so much; so often; oh, yes!; that's it; that's right; quite
to lose one's energy; to be cowardly
to cut corners; to be shoddy; to slack off; to play a tenuki; to tenuki
some; any; please; anyway; anyhow
secret; private; surreptitious
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
equal (in ability); even; evenly matched; well-matched; on par (with)
to fight (with); to cross swords; to compete (with); to argue (with); to have an argument; to have a dispute
dubious tale; cock-and-bull story; questionable information; taking care not to be fooled
hero; bold person; daring person; great person; extraordinary person
to rebuke; to scold; to tell off; to question persistently (in order to criticize or find fault with someone)
polite; respectful; reverent
complete lie; outright lie
direction (of a play, film, etc.); production; organization (of an event); arrangement; staging (for effect)
to project; to stand out; to jut out; to go somewhere (e.g. for work); to proceed to; to leave for
to give an impression; to make an impression
secret art; secret technique; mysteries (of an art)
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
leap; jump; stepping out into the wider world; becoming active on a wider stage; rapid progress; dramatic development
secret medicine; secret remedy; nostrum; wonder drug; excellent remedy