having a poor endgame; failing at the final stage; missing at the last turn; slacking off at the end
trickery; wiles; finesse; Machiavellism
one's student (esp. a former one); one's pupil; one's disciple
to run counter to; to go against; to disobey; to infringe
spire; steeple; pinnacle; minaret
sake cup; cup for alcoholic beverages; ritual exchange of cups (to seal a bond or pledge)
to abandon; to fail; to desert; to forsake
to send; to dispatch; to despatch; to bestow (favour, etc.); to grant (e.g. pardon)
to express (orally); to put into words; to say out loud
big; large; drastic; full-width cloth (approx. 72 cm wide for traditional Japanese clothing; approx. 140 cm wide for Western clothing)
to shave (wood, leather, etc.); to sharpen (e.g. pencil); to cut down (budget, expenses, staff, time, etc.); to curtail; to delete; to erase
honestly speaking; in truth; in all honesty; to be frank
100,000; hundred thousand
without compensation; without reward; without pay; free (of charge)
advance or retreat; moving forwards or backwards; course of action; behaviour; remaining in one's post or resigning; staying or leaving
exorbitant; outrageous; ridiculous; absurd; excessive; inordinate
giving; provision; furnishing
blinding someone's eyes (to make an escape); smoke screen; distraction; magic (trick); sleight of hand
calm; quiet; gentle; moderate; reasonable; amicable
depths; deep place; bottom (of one's heart)
scheming; planning; maneuvering; manoeuvring; plotting
captive; prisoner; victim (of love, etc.); slave (to one's lust, etc.)
the most one can do; the best one can do; the best one can expect
care; looking after; trouble; bother; good offices; recommendation
longing; yearning; aspiration; adoration
turning point; critical juncture; knot (in a tree, etc.)
by nature; naturally; by birth; inborn
typical; representative; archetypal; quintessential; stereotypical; model
to hold out; to extend (e.g. one's hands); to thrust (javelin); to offer (e.g. aid, help, etc.)
to be helpful; to help; to be of assistance; to come in handy
agreement; concurrence; conformance; compliance
unconcernedly; nonchalantly; shamelessly; brazenly
to be dark; to be dull; to be unassuming; to be inconspicuous; to not stand out
yes it is!; it surely is; certainly
mistake; error; fault; slip; blunder; omission
change of heart; change of mind; change in mental state
sensible; perceptive; quick to understand; understanding; sympathetic