on a stage; on a platform; on an altar
offstage; backstage; behind the scenes
high praise; great admiration; rave reviews
to hold fast; to protect to the end
answer; reply; response; answer; solution; result
to burn with combativeness
(sense of) rivalry; competitiveness
(just) making sure; just to be sure; just in case; for caution's sake
to pull from both ends; to pull from both sides; to play tug of war
to be jinxed; to suffer a stroke of bad luck; to suffer a setback; to have a damper put on one; to have cold water thrown on one
flavour; flavor; taste; charm; appeal; interest
sudden price jump; steep price rise
very rich person; the super rich
manners; behavior; behaviour
romance (e.g. Arthurian romances); heroic tale; (nigh) impossible dream; adventurous spirit; (full-length) novel; romance
to put on the market; to put out for sale; to put on sale; to become popular
slight bow (as a greeting or sign of gratitude); nod; salutation; consideration; thoughtfulness
military adviser; military advisor
to coo at; to behave like a spoiled child; to snort; to sniff
layout map; block plan; layout plan
battle formation; lineup (e.g. for a game)
affinity; compatibility; chemistry (between people)
many; much; plenty; hardly
bridge (e.g. on a warship)
trifling with; toying with; playing with; tossing about (a ship)
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
to lean coquettishly against; to snuggle into; to nestle into
requisition; commandeering; conscription
dispersal; evacuation; removal; spreading out (troops); deployment
to mix; to combine; to exchange (words, fire, etc.); to cross (e.g. swords); to join together
incomprehensible; mysterious; inexplicable; inscrutable; enigmatic; baffling
to flare up; to burst into flames
safe; in (of a ball, in tennis, etc.); all right; OK