expectation; anticipation; prediction; forecast; conjecture
by chance; by accident; accidentally; occasionally; once in a while; now and then
to be hit; to strike; to touch; to be in contact; to be equivalent to; to be applicable; to be right on the money (of a prediction, criticism, etc.)
to draw (the winning ticket); to apply; to compare; to put (oneself in someone's position)
query; interrogation; enquiry; question; inquiry
grinding of the teeth; involuntary nocturnal tooth grinding; bruxism; grinding one's teeth out of anger or vexation; gnashing one's teeth; gritting one's teeth
which way; which direction; which one (esp. of two alternatives); who
wrong impression; subjective impression; assumption; prejudice
in fact; as a matter of fact; actually; in reality; to tell the truth
intellectual power; mental capacity; intellect; intelligence; brains
using freely; making full use of; having a good command of; working (someone) hard; driving (someone) on
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall
to obtain; to come into possession of; to get hold of; to get one's hands on
another; one more; even more; (not) quite; (not) very
to thrust at someone (e.g. a weapon); to point (a gun, knife, etc.) at; to hold up threateningly to (someone's face); to present forcefully (demand, document, etc.); to confront someone with (evidence, facts, etc.); to force upon
to read and understand; to take in; to sense from external cues; to read (someone's) mind; to read (calibration, tape, etc.); to scan (bar code)
to put up (a notice, sign, etc.); to hang out (e.g. a banner); to hold up high; to raise overhead; to tout (a principle, plan, etc.); to herald; to publish
house built on sand; house of cards
intricate workmanship; delicate handiwork; cheap trick; petty trick; obvious stratagem
(common) use (of a language, currency, etc.); current use; to be accepted (e.g. of a way of thinking); to work (of an excuse, trick, etc.); going in and out; entrance and exit
being a poor loser; unwillingness to admit defeat; sour grapes
firm; determined; resolute; conclusive
will; volition; intention; intent; determination
present continuous tense; present progressive form; ongoing; (currently) active; currently in progress
to glare at each other; to confront each other
decisive battle; deciding match; play-off
rushing into; breaking into; storming; plunging into (war, etc.); embarking on (a new venture)
among (other things); especially; particularly; inter alia; above all (else)
strange; wonderful; weird; outrageous; mysterious
fingernail mark; scratch; scars (e.g. of war); traces (of damage); ravages
stage (of a theatre, concert hall, etc.); stage performance; stage production; setting (of a story); scene; sphere (of activity)
(for something) to have occurred; to have done (something); (for something) to happen on occasion
life or death struggle; mortal combat; struggle to the death
speaking of ...; as for ...
terrible; dreadful; tremendous; terrific; appalling; shocking
continent; continental Asia (esp. mainland China); continental Europe
to flow into; to pour into; to stream into
inland districts; inland areas
abnormal; unusual; extraordinary; remarkable; uncommon
terrain; geographical features; topography
to be completed; to be finished; to be ready (e.g. to serve or eat); to be very drunk; to get plastered