opposite; opposition; versus; vs.; to (e.g. "winning a game five to three"); equal footing
at a disadvantage; in an unfavourable position; having poor prospects; standing little chance
fighting back; returning fire; counter-attack; responding to an attack; accepting a challenge
sneakily; secretly; stealthily; on the sly
swift attack; quick attack; fast break; right away; without delay; immediately
stand; rack; support; holder; counter for machines, incl. vehicles; setting (e.g. in jewellery); level (e.g. price level)
failure; mistake; blunder
to jump up; to spring up; to jump (market, price, etc.); to rise sharply; to act rashly; to jump the gun
personality; character; individuality; personhood
too much for one to handle; beyond one's capacity; unmanageable; uncontrollable; incorrigible; obstreperous
dozens; scores of; decades
until then; till then; to that extent; the end of it; all there is to it
to endure; to keep out (e.g. rain); to pull through; to get over; to surpass; to outdo
everybody; every last one of them; all
duty; responsibility (incl. supervision of staff); liability; onus
to press for an answer; to shower questions on someone
vitality; (one's) life force
explosive; sudden and dramatic (of an increase in sales, popularity, etc.); explosive; rapid
gap; space; break; interlude; chink (in one's armor, armour); chance
to intrude; to butt in; to meddle; to be forward; to be self-assertive; to show off
to become weak; to decline; to wear; to abate; to decay; to wither
creation; generation; formation; derivation
to knead; to thicken into a paste (stirring over a flame); to polish (a plan, etc.); to refine; to train; to drill; to gloss (silk)
great many; ever so many; any number; as few or as many (as you like); whether large or small
period of an apprentice's contract (usu. ten years); apprenticeship; indentureship; indenture
granny; grandma; gran; old lady; old woman
anniversary of a person's death; monthly return of the date of someone's death
to protect (someone); to look after (e.g. an injured leg); to defend; to cover for; to stand up for; to stick up for
gradually becoming poor; situation getting gradually worse and worse
please; I beg you; for mercy's sake
to envy; to be envious of; to be jealous of
distinguished family; noted family; family status in the Imperial Court; master (of a craft); expert
wise; sagacious; intelligent; sensible
project; enterprise; business; (arch.) act; (arch.) deed; (arch.) conduct
to hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby); to embrace; to have sex with; to make love to; to sit on (eggs); to brood
story; tale; talk; discussion
father; dad; papa; pa; pop; daddy
robber; mugger; robbery; burglary
note left by a dead person; suicide note; testamentary letter; posthumous work
inheritance; bequest; legacy; heritage
to go out and away; to leave