top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
indication; denotation; designation; instructions; directions
conclusion; decision; judgement; affirmative
insufficiency; deficiency; shortage; dissatisfaction; discontent; complaint
to doubt; to distrust; to be suspicious of; to suspect
to fall behind; to drop out; to drop; to fall; to spill
to lose sight of (one's companions); to stray from; to miss (one's chance to ...)
previous conviction; criminal record; previous offense; previous offence
several times; once or twice
originator; ringleader; perpetrator; main culprit; person responsible
stupid; half-witted; dull-witted; blockhead; idiot; dimwit
actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.); (on) site; (on) the ground; filming location; (movie) set
important; essential; significant; major; key; principal
on the board (shogi, go, etc.)
exceedingly; extremely; decisively
inferiority (e.g. numerical); inferior position; disadvantage; unfavorable situation; unfavourable situation
opening (in a game of go, chess, etc.); early stages; initial phase; outset
dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
to live up to expectations; to meet expectations
not understanding; not knowing
(not) even once; (not) ever
a tiny bit; just a smidgin; a wee bit; very slightly
soft; tender; soft (colour, light, etc.); subdued; informal; light
feel (of something); touch; texture; feeling; impression
to be effeminate; to be a fop; to break into a smile; to grin
obstacle; hindrance; impediment; difficulty
to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
recently; lately; these days; nearest; closest
comprehension; consent; understanding; OK; roger
to swallow (e.g. a story); to accept without questioning; to swallow (food) whole; to gobble up; to gulp down
any more; anymore; any further; any better; any longer
else; in addition; besides
to become misty; to become hazy
to shake; to jolt; to shake (e.g. the political world); to disturb; to put off a batter (by varying one's type of pitch)
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
dangerous; unsettled; troubled; disturbed; insecure
for your information; I'm telling you
thief; burglar; robber; theft; burglary; robbery
imitating; copying; mimicry; behavior; behaviour; action
how about ...?; what about ...?; I wonder; I don't know
to pick a fight; to pick a quarrel