(it was) not until; (it was) only when
to come near (to); to approach; to be on the verge of; to be about to reach (a stage, period, etc.); to overhang; to hang over
adaptability; flexibility
(school) subject; curriculum; course; item; heading; entry
serve; serving (e.g. of food)
loose; slack; gentle (slope, curve); slow (speed); lenient; liberal
other side; other party; other end (e.g. of phone connection); opposition
receiving (the ball); bump (in volleyball); forearm pass
toss (of a ball); tossing; (coin) toss
spike (on a shoe or tyre); stud; spiked shoes; spikes; injuring (an opposing player) with the spikes on one's shoes; spiking
sprinkling; dropping in small light bits
to change places (with); to be replaced (with, by); to be changed; to change (seats, shifts, etc.; with someone); to switch; to exchange
contest; competition; struggle; scramble
likability; favorability; popularity
mixing; mixture; meld; miscegenation
fierce battle; hard-fought battle; hot contest; severe fight
(sense of) rivalry; competitiveness
start of a match; beginning of a game; kickoff
can't go on like this; can't stand it anymore; can't take it any longer
to take (someone) by surprise; to do something unexpected
barefaced (e.g. lie); transparent; with feigned ignorance; pretending not to know; pure white; very clear
one bounce (of a ball); one-hopper
to be curious; to wonder; to marvel
to cut corners; to be shoddy; to slack off; to play a tenuki; to tenuki
crossing swords; competing against; contending with; fighting against
don't worry about it; never mind; it's OK
point spread; point difference
here and there; little by little; sporadically; dots; spots
joining a club as a trial
to gain on; to put pressure on; to close in on
the Van Allen (radiation) belt (layer)