one step higher; one better; cut above; one up
bodyguards; elite guards; Schutzstaffel; SS; groupies; ardent fans
taking the mound; pitching a game
to bring near; to bring close; to let go near; to associate with; to bring (people) together; to let come near (of a person)
hmmm; uh-huh; murmur indicating approval, comprehension, etc.
to cram; to stuff; to jam; to squeeze; to compress; to pack
congratulation; congratulations; celebration; congratulatory gift; present
to begin (emphatically); to launch; to embark on
to water (a plant, a flower etc.)
to tread down so as to harden (soil, snow, etc.)
unflaggingly; steadily; untiringly; knocking; tapping; clicking
to run away; to escape safely
to provide (a person) with a bodyguard
the principle of the thing
to scatter away; to vanish
to start to say; to attempt to say; to be about to say; to speak to; to address
to understand; to make out
solid; strong; sturdy; durable; stout
to entice; to tempt; to invite someone to join in
Shinto shrine precincts; holy precincts; sanctuary
the four elements (earth, water, fire, wind); the human body; Tao, heaven, earth and king
university or college offering four-year programs; the big four ...; the four major ...
to gnaw; to nibble; to bite; to dabble in; to have a smattering of
this and that; this or that; one thing or another; this way and that
extinction; extinguishment; disappearance; annihilation
offset; offsetting each other; cancelling each other out; set-off; setoff
to praise highly; to sing the praises of; to applaud; to acclaim; to admire
scattered animal feed; ground bait
as likely as not; 50-50; even match; tie
future; possible; potential; prospective
notable; important; chief; valuable; conspicuous; outstanding
raising the curtain; opening (of an event); start of a season
to leave this world; to die
tactician; schemer; intriguer; resourceful person
to use somebody's (argument, attack) against them
sure punishment or reward
faint breath; dying whisper; at death's door