(apparently) that's what it's like, isn't it
comparatively; relatively; unexpectedly; unusually; considering; for one's ...
bitter smile; wry smile; strained laugh; sarcastic laugh
gift; premium; prize (lottery drawing, pachinko, etc.); party favor (favour)
contest; competition; struggle; scramble
on bad terms; at loggerheads
conspirators; faction; cabal; clique
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple
still more; to say nothing of; not to mention; still less
still more; even more; all the more; still less; even less
preliminary inspection; having a look in advance; preparatory read-through (e.g. of lesson notes); siding (on a house); clapboard
in a manner of speaking; as it were; so to speak; if you like; per se
turning over while sleeping in bed; betrayal; double-crossing
to scorn; to despise; to hold in contempt; to look down on; to disdain
(something) has never occurred; to have never done (something); such a thing has not happened; never happens; there is never a time when
dangerous; perilous; threatening; stern (expression); hostile (attitude); sharp
affiliated with; under jurisdiction of; under the umbrella
power map; power structure; power relationships
to grow up; to become an adult; to become big; to grow in size
opposition; rivalry; competition; antagonism
opposition; rebellion; rebounding; recoiling; rally (e.g. in stock prices); recovery
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
incomplete understanding; doubt; question; distrust; suspicion; strangeness
under control (e.g. of territory)
moderate (degree); proper (amount); temperate; suitable
good; fine; excellent; favorable; favourable; satisfactory
rather; better; instead; if anything
winning over; placation; gentle persuasion
to leave as; to view as; to maintain the status quo
to fish; to angle; to catch; to lure in; to tempt; to attract
(animal) feed; fodder; pet food; bait; lure; enticement
difficult to ...; hard to ...
sentiment; emotions; one's feelings; one's heart
to cling to; to hang onto; to rely on; to depend on; to implore; to entreat
to be dying; to be about to die; to be close to death
choices; alternatives; options
row of houses; every house; each house; all; totally
to betray; to turn traitor to; to double-cross
handicraft; work; construction; maneuvering; manoeuvering
capable of anything; liable to do
gap; lag; difference; discrepancy; shear (e.g. shear stress)
one more; another; the other; not quite; not very good; lacking
somehow or other; for some reason or another; without knowing why
superficial; apparent; seeming; surface; cosmetic