retirement; retiring (from a race, match, etc.); dropping out
to hold down; to twist someone's arm; to force (someone) to yield (e.g. an argument); to make (someone) surrender
fiercely fought contest; close game (match, race, etc.); dead heat
by any means, fair or foul
dawn; daybreak; event (e.g. "in the event of ..."); occasion; occurrence
to be lacking a trump card; to be lacking conclusive evidence
something unusual; something wrong; mishap; accident; serious condition (e.g. after an injury); different situation
to shade an account; to add something extra
pulling something out (in a stroke); plucking out; forcibly removing one after another (e.g. demonstrators); overtaking multiple people (in a spurt); pulling ahead
dramatic turn-around; major reversal; great comeback; game changer
throwaway match (i.e. one played after a tournament has already been decided); dead rubber
deva and naga; heavenly dragon
secret base; hideout; hidden position
self-absorbed; self-contained
reveal of how a trick is done; disclosure of a secret (cause, source, etc.); exposure; explanation
hide-and-seek (game); hide-and-go-seek
purple vestment (traditionally awarded by the imperial household); high-ranking priest's purple robe
to come and stay; to drop in; to visit
unpreparedness; falsehood; Chinese "Emptiness" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
nothing but; none other than
fleecy clouds (esp. cumulus clouds)
happi coat; happy coat; workman's livery coat; traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat
to make sure of the truth
next (year, spring, etc.); coming; since (last month, etc.); for (20 years, etc.)
how; in what way; circumstances