what I want to say is ...; the fact of the matter is ...; none other than ...
(providing) covering fire; supporting (backing up) someone (in a debate or argument)
treaty; pact; convention; agreement
the future (usually distant); future tense; the world to come
that way; that direction; that (one); that person; there; over there
expectation; anticipation; purpose; intention; others' opinions of one; speculation
to push into; to cram into; to stuff into; to break in; to burgle; to burglarize
how; in what way; by what means
influence; power; might; strength; potency; force
to bend; to curve; to bend (the truth); to falsify; to corrupt; to sully
to accept (e.g. an explanation); to be satisfied (with); to assent (to)
literature; books (reference); document
fate; destiny; connection; tie; pretext; justification
some; any; please; anyway; anyhow
centre; center; middle; capital; seat of government
disturbance; riot; mayhem
to be a match for; to rival; to equal; to compare with; to be equivalent to
besides; furthermore; on top of that; and yet; nevertheless; even so
fleet (fishing, naval, etc.); convoy; group of ships
aggression; invasion; raid
to be profitable; to yield a profit
to be in the firing line; to bear the brunt of (an attack, criticism, etc.); to face (e.g. questioning)
to be tied together; to be connected to; to lead to; to be related to; to be related (by blood)
development; evolution; expansion; spreading out; expansion (of an algebraic expression); development (of a three-dimensional shape)
external pressure; outside pressure; foreign pressure
to glare at; to scowl at; to stare intensely at; to examine carefully; to estimate; to guess
dhyana (profound meditation); Zen (Buddhism)
a long way off; matter for the future; not going to happen anytime soon
major powers of the world; great powers
place; spot; grounds; arena; stadium; range
to stand, walk, etc. shoulder-to-shoulder; to be on a par with
military force; military strength