counter; window; teller window; contact person; point of contact
to prepare; to provide; to set up; to establish; to organize
origin; source; basis; base; cause; (raw) material; ingredient
preliminary contest; qualifying round; trial; preliminary selection; screening (e.g. of applicants); provisional election
introduction; bringing in; installation; introduction (to a story, lecture, etc.); introductory part
those interested in participating; persons wishing to participate
to become stronger; to grow in intensity; to grow violent; to invite contributions, etc.; to solicit help, participation, etc.; to recruit (e.g. soldiers)
final selection (in a competition, match, etc.)
frame; framework; border; box; limit; restriction; category
to win; to achieve; to gain; to obtain; to secure
to win through (e.g. to finals); to advance
to give one's name (as); to introduce oneself (as); to claim to be; to call oneself; to reveal oneself (as); to admit to being
form (as opposed to substance); format; form; formality; form; mode
noise (usu. unpleasant); interference (e.g. radio); static; gossip; irresponsible criticism
sealing (away); containment; suppression; seal; place where something is sealed; seam (of an envelope)
ideal; perfect; most suitable; just right
good; OK; all right; fine; very well; will do
to do one's best; to put forth every effort
being defeated; being eliminated (from competition)
in that case; (might not be what was expected or hoped for but) if that's the case
promising; hopeful; full of promise
loss; damage; harm; disadvantage; handicap; drawback
to dust; to remove dust; to slap; to hit (with the palm); to use up money
daring; fearless; intrepid; bold; tough
what one desires; what one hopes for; suits me well; could ask for nothing better; bring it on
use; adoption; acceptance; appointment; employment; engagement
unfortunately; sorry, but ...
to be disappointed; to be dejected; to be downhearted; to feel exhausted; to feel drained
notification; official notice; directive (e.g. from higher to lower levels of the administration); being well versed (in); being proficient (in)
about when; about what time; how soon
to loiter; to putter; to prowl; to wander about; to roam about; to knock around
holding (a conference, exhibition, etc.); opening; hosting (e.g. the Olympics)
to be too numerous; to be too much
postponement; deferment; adjournment
contacting; (making) contact; connection (with a train, bus, etc.); joining (a railway line, etc.); connection (between matters, incidents, etc.); relation
bad boy; naughty child; brat
to make sure; to check; to ascertain; to confirm; to verify
to understand; to make out
to let (someone) hear; to tell (e.g. a story); to make (someone) listen; to make (someone) understand; to grip (someone) with skilful singing, storytelling, etc.; to hold (someone) enchanted by
ordinary; nothing special; nothing to exclaim over
sorting; arrangement; liquidation; settlement; retrenchment; curtailment
main principle; gist; general plan; guidelines; outline
to examine; to look up; to investigate; to check up; to sense; to study