asking for the moon; pining for what one doesn't have; thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence; asking for too much; asking for the impossible
taking great pains (to do); making every effort; having a lot of trouble (doing); racking one's brains
smelling of mud or earth; unrefined; uncouth
using anything one can lay one's hands on; haphazardly; on the rebound; at random; indiscriminately
severe (injury, handicap, etc.); serious
gauntlet (used in Kendo); bracer; fencing glove
deployment; disposition; posting; stationing
to be moreish; to have a quality that encourages you to eat (drink) more of them after; to have lingering effects
maintaining the status quo
to set about in earnest; to put one's back into something
to be caught in; to be stuck in; to stop by; to drop in for a short visit; to get mixed up in (trouble); to get entangled in (a problem); to fall for (a trick)
friendly army; friendly troops; allied army
disorder; disturbance; unrest
mixed (e.g. team, chorus)
now advancing and now retreating; ebb and flow; seesawing; taking alternately favorable and unfavorable turns
ace (playing card); ace (of a team); leading player; ace; hotshot; ace (serve)
to settle down (and deal with something); to concentrate all one's energy (on something); to settle oneself (in a place); to settle down (somewhere); to take a solid stance; to lower one's center of gravity (centre)
offense and defense; offence and defence; batting and fielding
sudden rise; steep climb; zoom; trending
transcendence; excellence; superiority
maneuver (usu. of military force); manoeuvre; mobile; nimble; agile
to hurt; to injure; to harm; to damage; to worry; to bother
to bend; to warp; to yield; to be supple (e.g. bamboo, body); to be flexible; to be pliant
looking; viewing; (please) try (to)
to splash; to raise (e.g. prices)
grip (of hand); grip strength
having wounds all over one's body; being wounded all over; receiving a drubbing; being subjected to a barrage of criticism
to force (someone) to take part; to take along unwillingly
(fighting) spirit; motivation; shout (for getting in the right mood to deal with something, etc.); cheer; kiai; short shout when performing an attacking move
to make sacrifices for; to pay dearly for
to fall forward (of a person); to tumble forward
stickiness; viscosity; tenacity; persistence
hidden reserves of strength; latent energy; potentiality; real strength
strong defense; strong defence
leaving the front line; retiring from the game; deserting the battle
weight (e.g. paperweight); pressing down; keeping control; exercising authority; having self-control; exercising self-discipline