to have a taste for; to be fond of; to enjoy (in moderation); to be modest; to be prudent; to watch (e.g. one's behaviour)
to keep (e.g. the lead); to maintain (a standard, situation, etc.); to put aside (for someone); to save (e.g. a seat); to keep (the ball; in soccer, rugby, etc.); to retain possession
empty-handed; unarmed; lacking funds
to compete with; to vie for
to rage; to be fierce; to be excited
calming down; settling down; quieting down; sedation
to forestall; to beat to the punch; to anticipate; to play the first move (e.g. in go)
in perfect form; going swimmingly
blind spot (e.g. of a driver); dead angle; dead ground; dead space
nervous temperament; worrier's disposition
no need to finish what you're saying; say no more; I can guess the rest already
partition; division; settlement of accounts; preliminary warm-up ritual; toeing the mark; directing
to turn into a state of feverish mood
to compete with; to argue with; to quarrel
to win through (e.g. to the next round); to win game after game; to achieve a final victory; to fight to the end and win; to come out on top
tournament; knockout competition
preliminary contest; qualifying round; trial; preliminary selection; screening (e.g. of applicants); provisional election
final selection (in a competition, match, etc.)
overall victory; championship; winning the title; (being in) heaven; bliss; perfect contentment
approximate (number); rough (calculation); sloppy; lackadaisical; crude
round-robin tournament; round-robin competition
arriving first; first to arrive; moving first
to advance to the next stage (e.g. in a tournament)
disqualification; elimination; incapacity; being unfit for one's role; being a failure
omission; slip; error; definition (of photograph); sharpness; clarity (sound)
contest decided by a single round (bout); contest decided by a single roll of dice; one-shot game (contest); make-or-break game
tournament; knockout tournament (esp. single-elimination); elimination tournament
to sieve; to sift; to winnow; to screen (candidates)
fighting (against); taking on (an opponent); facing; confronting; competing (with); battle
strong person; the strong; the powerful
chief; main; principal; major
to make a decision; to draw a conclusion; to give a judgement; to hand down a verdict; to let go down; to lower; to do oneself
to throw (strongly, violently, etc.)
to look as if one is important; to swagger around
to walk away; to saunter off
to soften; to calm down; to be eased; to be mitigated; to subside; to abate
half; 50%; 5 parts; 5%; equality; equal footing
to win and advance to the next round
pulling down one's lower eyelid and sticking out one's tongue (as a taunt or gesture of contempt or rejection); no way!; no!; get lost!
to prick; to stab; to poke; to prod; to use (a cane); to prop oneself up with
close contest; close match; close game; close combat
flight (e.g. airline flight); trip (e.g. train trip); mail; post; opportunity; chance