(a) step; one step; level; stage; small degree; small amount
operation; management; handling; manipulating (to one's benefit); manipulation; influencing
point of view; viewpoint; standpoint; perspective; angle
guarantee; security; assurance; warranty
rejection; expulsion; boycott; ostracism
pain; ache; soreness; damage; injury; wear
new era; new period; new age; new epoch
to build; to construct; to erect; to build up (a reputation, position, fortune, etc.); to establish (a relationship, household, tradition, etc.); to lay (a foundation)
medicine; pharmaceuticals; efficacious chemical (gunpowder, pesticide, etc.); (pottery) glaze; (illegal) drug; narcotic
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
puppet; marionette; puppet (person, organization, government, etc.); figurehead; (arch.) prostitute
absurd; ridiculous; silly; ludicrous; nonsensical; asinine
flatly rejecting; curtly refusing; beating easily; defeating handily; one kick
war; battle; campaign; (arch.) troops; (arch.) forces
(common) soldier; rank and file; army; troops; warfare; strategy
to tailor; to make (clothing); to train; to bring up; to make it seem like; to pass off
to be better (than); to be superior; to surpass; to excel; to be excellent
upper class; upper echelons of society; the rich and powerful; the elite
convenient; useful; finding useful; coming in handy; (priceless) treasure
training; drill; practice; discipline
absolute best; very finest; top-class; first-rate; elite
if it is (the case that ...)
show (of power, ability, etc.); exhibition; demonstration; display; manifestation
blunder; fault; error; mistake; failure; disgrace
minimum; at the very least
to read the situation; to sense the mood; to read the room
to feel around for; to fumble for; to investigate; to probe into; to explore (parts unknown); to enjoy (natural beauty)
foreseeing; anticipating; lookahead; prefetching; reading ahead
to hit; to strike; to strike (noon, etc.); to sound (cymbals, etc.); to beat (rhythmically, e.g. pulse, waves, etc.); to move; to impress
purpose; goal; aim; objective; intention; motive
land mine; topic that sets someone off; sensitive topic; something that seems fine at first but turns out to be very bad (e.g. product, business); booby trap
arrangement; pact; agreement
to tie; to bind; to bear (fruit); to close (e.g. deal); to confirm; to connect (two distant places); to close tightly
readiness; (mental) preparedness; resolution; determination; resignation (to one's fate)
depending on the situation; depending on circumstances
to sever relations (with someone; esp. a relative or spouse); to break off (with)
to turn against; to become an enemy
fate; destiny (esp. as a mysterious force that binds two people together); relationship (e.g. between two people); bond; family ties; affinity; opportunity
to break; to snap; to be injured; to wear out; to be worn out; to break; to burst
soon; before long; slowly; quietly; already; about time
real intention; true motive; true meaning
via; through; by doing; by means of; using