shield; buckler; escutcheon; pretext; excuse; grounds (for)
pretty; charming; lovely; adorable
tragic but brave; heroic; grim
brief review; brief comment
reality; actuality; actual conditions; ultimate reality; absolute truth
to brave; to risk; to harm; to afflict; to desecrate; to profane
to grow hot (e.g. water); to boil; to get excited (at); to erupt (in applause, cheering, etc.); to ferment; to melt (of metal)
stubborn; obstinate; pigheaded
to hit and break open; to crush; to smash
accepting; consenting; agreeing; submission; compliance; agreement
battle; fight; fighting; engagement; contest
caustic words; defiant words
actually; really; truly; in practice; practically
hill; height; knoll; bonus points awarded to the winner at the end of a game
business discussion; negotiation
foothold; footing; toehold; stepping stone
to pass (the night); to spend; to reveal; to divulge; to prove; to verify
composition (of painting); structural outline; compositional arrangement
as a matter of fact; actually; effectively; in reality; in effect
noninclusion in a team; not being chosen to play
to tell; to announce; to declare; to pass (a sentence); to order
peacetime; time of peace; ordinary times; normal times
state of mind; mental state; mental attitude
slope; slanting surface; bevel
to pin the enemy down; to glare another down (and render impotent)
to get (very) cold; to get (much) colder; to feel very cold (of the body); to be chilled to the bone; to worsen (of relations, economic conditions, etc.); to decline
to look away; to avert one's eyes; to avoid facing (e.g. reality)
to understand; to be convinced; to be satisfied
stopgap; makeshift; temporary measure
to catch up (with); to draw level; to pull even; to be compensated; to make up for one's losses
courage; bravery; pluck; nerve; grit; guts
transition; change; progress; passing (of time)
to watch over; to keep watch over; to keep an eye on; to watch intently; to stare; to gaze
parallel lines; remaining far apart (e.g. in discussions); not reaching an agreement; views that never cross
casualties; killed and wounded; human damage
concession; conciliation; compromise
decisive blow; game-winning hit (e.g. in baseball)
to shun; to balk at (doing); to grudge (doing); to take (good) care of (esp. one's health)
simple; plain; uncomplicated; straightforward; simple-minded; naive
peace (esp. of the world); peace and calm; tranquility; tranquillity
sophism; chop logic; far-fetched argument; quibble; cavil; argument for argument's sake