sharpness; cutting ability; quickness (of wit); incisiveness; peppiness (of a ball)
to become blunt; to grow dull; to become less capable; to weaken; to falter
knowing only too well; being fully aware of
now advancing and now retreating; ebb and flow; seesawing; taking alternately favorable and unfavorable turns
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
scaffold; scaffolding; foothold; footing; foothold (e.g. in business); foundation
to be discouraged; to shrink from
breath; breathing; bracelet
jumping sideways; flying sideways; running hurriedly (with one's body bent forward)
to run out of breath; to get breathless; to get puffed (out)
physical strength; power; stamina; strength (of a business, economy, etc.)
exhaustion; consumption; using up; dissipation; waste
chance to win; opportunity to win; chance of victory
to hold one's breath (in fear, anxiety, etc.)
(coil) spring; spring (season); light overcoat (worn in spring and autumn); topcoat
to kick; to refuse; to reject; to stamp (on the ground); to firmly press one's feet (against something)
bringing certain death; deadly; knockout (blow)
guard (on a sword); brim (of a hat); visor; brim (of a pot); flange
to struggle; to writhe; to wriggle; to act frantically; to make desperate efforts
gradually; by degrees; little by little; steps; stairs; staircase
throat; singing voice; gutter (inner margins of a book)
to lose heart; to lose interest; to become stale (i.e. of a carbonated beverage); to go flat; to lose focus; to let one's guard down
bloodstained; bloody; covered with blood
sweaty; sweat-drenched; covered in sweat
knee; lap; knee and thigh (while sitting)
to collapse (physically or emotionally); to fall down
healthy; robust; strong; solid; durable
to burn to a crisp; to scorch
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
to sit down hard; to sink down to the floor
point; dot; one point; one matter; one point (in a game, exam, etc.); one mark
dullness (esp. of the skin); lack of luster; dirt; soil; contamination
even if; no matter (what); if; though; although; supposing
occasion; time; circumstances; (in) case (of); when
what proportion; what percentage
to shrink; to contract; to diminish (in size)
soft; tender; soft (colour, light, etc.); subdued; informal; light
smooth (of a surface); glassy; smooth (of an action, proceedings, etc.); fluent (speech); continuously differentiable