to store; to save up; to accumulate (e.g. knowledge); to build up (e.g. experience); to grow (a beard, moustache, etc.); to wear
hard fight; close game; struggle; tight contest
expectation; anticipation; prediction; forecast; conjecture
participants; participating athletes
fickle; capricious; inconstant; changeable; whimsical
to participate in (as a member); to get involved in
handicraft; work; construction; maneuvering; manoeuvring
to lecture; to read aloud; to devise (e.g. a strategy); to work out (e.g. a tactic); to confer; to hold conference (with)
side; flank; position where one is not directly involved (in a matter); outsider's position; the sidelines
to have an ulterior motive; to have an axe to grind
doubt; misgivings; distrust; suspicion
to throw at; to turn; to raise
ordinary; sensible; commonplace
complete victory; winning a tournament with no losses
to knit; to plait; to braid; to compile (anthology, dictionary, etc.); to edit
to break down (an opponent's defenses); to defeat; to knock out the opponent's pitcher (with consecutive base hits); to break (an established notion); to refute (e.g. a theory)
fine (grain, workmanship, etc.); close (weave); delicate; precise; accurate; careful
single; solo; solitary; just one; only one
to be forced to do or experience something (against one's will); to be forced to do something because one has no other choice
position in a game; state of the game; situation; stage; phase
to keep (something) a secret; to keep hidden (forever); to continue to conceal
judging from appearances; to all appearances; from the looks of it; on the face of it; apparently; seemingly
class (of students); group (of people); party; lot; bunch; crime family; organized-crime syndicate
dropping out; falling behind; omission; being left out; falling off; coming off
tournament; knockout competition
to play with; to joke; to use (esp. trick, sophistry, etc.); to deride; to scoff at; to make fun of