mudslinging contest; mudslinging match
if so; in that case; in that situation
to be prolonged; to drag on; to take a long time; to persist; to linger
even; even if ...; even though ...; because ...; as ...; with the purpose of ...
to be forestalled; to fall behind; to be one step behind
itself; one's own body; oneself; originally; naturally
cooperation; coordination; collaboration; integration; linking
as much as one can; as much as possible
to excel; to surpass; to exceed; to outweigh; to preponderate
drawn-out (protracted) war or contest
that's a different matter; that's a different story
chance to win; opportunity to win; chance of victory
enough; sufficient; plenty; sufficiently; fully; thoroughly
to move back; to draw back; to lessen; to subside; to resign; to retire
firm promise; definite promise
estrangement; alienation; disaffection; (customer) churn; attrition
to live (of humans); to reside; to inhabit; to dwell; to abide
to stand in the way; to bar someone's way; to block the way
road; path; route; way; distance; journey; road (e.g. to victory)
to touch; to finger; to play with; (arch.) to tease; (arch.) to make fun of
righteousness; justice; right
unattractive; ugly; unstylish; uncool
shape; form; appearance; style; state; situation
to replace; to convert; to exchange; to interchange; to substitute (person, staff member, player, etc.)
(feeling a chill or shiver) suddenly; (feeling) chilly; chillily; with a sudden sense of dread (or fear, etc.); (being) suddenly (afraid, frightened, etc.); suddenly (breaking out in a cold sweat)
area (measurement); square measure; size (of land); floor space
to shade an account; to add something extra
oh; right; I see; OK; gotcha
countermeasure; counter-measure
to knead; to thicken into a paste (stirring over a flame); to polish (a plan, etc.); to refine; to train; to drill; to gloss (silk)
to keep watching; to continue looking at; to gaze at
hardly any; almost nonexistent; very little
to be born; to come into the world
predecessor; pioneer; ancestor
to build; to construct; to put up; to build up (a fortune, reputation, enterprise, etc.); to establish (a relationship, system, etc.); to create
system; institution; organization; organisation
wisdom; wit; sagacity; prajna (insight leading to enlightenment)
grace; favor; favour; blessing; benefit
to look after; to take care of; to be put in charge of; to be given responsibility for; to withhold (an announcement); to reserve (judgment)
study; diligence; working hard; experience; knowledge; discount
practical use; application; making good use of; conjugation; inflection
grinding; polishing; refining (a skill, knowledge, etc.); applying oneself (to study); disciplining oneself
establishment; settlement
vague; obscure; indistinct; hazy; ambiguous
sense of impending crisis; sense of danger