slightly early; just before
to throw oneself; to jump; to leap
to cut down; to slay; to truncate; to round down; to omit; to discard
skill; proficiency; experience; dexterity
to give one's life; to lay down one's life
former; ex-; earlier times; the past; formerly; previously
fierce (fight, competition, etc.); severe; hot; hard; bitter; keen
every last one; one and all; from A to Z; as soon as; right after; no sooner (than)
to get (a joke or explanation); to strike home; to click; to know intuitively
village; hamlet; settlement
to scoff; to laugh at; to make fun of; to ridicule; to jeer at
to count on; to expect; to put confidence in; to trust in; to depend on
military supplies (transported to the front line); military stores
shivering (with cold); trembling (with fear); shuddering
slashing a sword diagonally from the shoulder
to arise; to break out; to well up; to burst
once in a lifetime (opportunity); (a golden opportunity that may) happen only once in a thousand years
often; again and again; over and over again; repeatedly; frequently
to be clear (of a sight, sound, colour, etc.); to be bright; to be clear-headed; to be alert; to look upbeat; to be perky; to master (a skill)
elucidation; explication; explaining; unravelling; clarification; understanding
that's a different matter; that's a different story
to resort to violence; to perform a drastic act
to swoop down upon; to fly down; to alight
wing length (esp. of a bird); wingspan (esp. of an aircraft)
noisy; confused; uproarious
anti-aircraft; antiaircraft
to throw (liquid) at; to dash; to inundate (with questions); to heap (praise); to hurl (abuse)
to open (e.g. doors); to open (e.g. business, etc.); to be empty; to be vacant; to be available; to be open (e.g. neckline, etc.); to have been opened (of one's eyes, mouth, etc.)
(direct) hit; hitting the mark
to smile a smile of satisfaction
assistance (in a fight); help; aid; helper; supporter
flying column; detached force
to negotiate; to settle a matter; to arrange
taking a western route; west circuit; travelling the globe westwards; going from east to west
riding together; sharing a car (taxi, etc.); doing in collaboration; backing of the same candidate by different political parties
to leap back; to jump back
before one knows; before one becomes aware of; unnoticed; unawares
overarm stroke (type of traditional Japanese swimming style)