to sharpen; to grind; to whet; to hone; to make keen
to become a (bad) habit; to become a habitual practice; to become addictive; to grow on one; to become moreish
chaos; turmoil; pandemonium; havoc
combat readiness; battle readiness; fighting trim
absorption; giving undivided attention; devoting oneself (to)
spineless; backboneless; timid; cowardly; weak-kneed
in the midst of the enemy
reduction by half; halving
you could say; you might say; verging on the
to suffer damage; to be deceived
happiness in the next world; heavenly bliss; repose of one's soul
surprise attack; surprise visit; catching a person off guard
moving about in confusion; going every which way; going this way and that
tumult; great noise; clatter; hustle and bustle
funeral; burial; condolence
there's no other way; there are no other options; there are no alternative means
to swell; to expand; to inflate; to bulge
winning a battle; victory; victorious battle
withdrawal; secession; separation; breakaway
helpless; forlorn; hopeless; unpromising; lonely; discouraging
to be oversized (overloud, etc.)
sacrificial pawn; sacrificed piece; sacrifice
to cling to; to depend on; to embrace; to hug
surprise attack; sneak attack; foul play
to butt into a conversation (from someone uninvolved)
fair and square; open and aboveboard; bold and forthright
to follow in order; to go through step-by-step
to listen attentively to; to be absorbed in (listening to)
place of enshrinement; morgue; mortuary
being on duty; being on watch; person on duty
(one's) superior; (one's) boss; the higher-ups
investigation (e.g. into someone's guilt); questioning; pressing; catching up; overtaking
straight; directly; voyage; journey; straight road
first match (in a series)
good performance; good work; great success
unsafe; insecure; careless; dangerous; incautious; imprudent
synthesis; combination; general; combined; synthesis; colligation
statue; picture; picture revealing character
apathy; lassitude; lethargy; languor