dangerous person; security risk; loose cannon
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
sharp increase; sudden rise
covering; protection; backing; relief
to step on (a nail); to run (a nail) through one's foot; to put one's foot through (the floor)
moving forward (e.g. vehicle); onward movement; advance (work, procedure, etc.); advancement; progress (of a disease); disease progression
to disturb; to prevent; to obstruct; to hinder
in that case; (might not be what was expected or hoped for but) if that's the case
solid; firm; stout; burly; strong; sturdy
camouflage; disguise; pretense; feigning; masquerade
aid; help; assistance; assistant; counselor; counsellor
to hew; to chop up; to mangle; to mince
extremely; in the extreme; knows no bounds (e.g. rudeness); boundless (e.g. universe, ocean); limitless
to step forward; to step forth; to advance; to start; to embark on; to set forth on
broken into small fragments; smashed to atoms; fragments and splinters; smithereens
adapting oneself to the requirements of the moment; playing by ear; ad hoc approach
last stand; last bastion; last stronghold; last frontier
field of activities; area of activity; range of behavior (behaviour); habitat
to fight; to exchange blows; to rally
to take away; to carry off
characteristic quality; special character; one's function; one's duty; fief; inherited estate
(those) who are; (that) which is; in the capacity of
properly; accurately; exactly; neatly; tidily; orderly
waiting to see one's opponent's move before doing anything (e.g. as a disallowed act in rock, paper, scissors)
distant; remote; isolated
to backfire; to produce a result opposite to what was expected or intended
I would rather; I would as lief do; strong preference
singularity; peculiarity; idiosyncrasy; specificity
field; plain; prairie; tundra; moor; wilderness
to get accustomed to using
to bring; to take; to bring about
to set free; to let go; to release; to miss (e.g. a chance); to lose; to let get away
middle-distance (races); intermediate-range (missile)
to catch and tie up; to apprehend; to entangle; to trap; to brush out (e.g. dust, fur, plaque); to extract
to chip; to nick; to break; to lack
prison; jail; gaol; firm; solid; strong
to enclose; to surround; to shelter (e.g. a criminal); to shield; to keep (e.g. a mistress); to store (vegetables, fruit, etc.)