gun; firearm; small arms (e.g. rifle, pistol, etc)
pitiful; pathetic; painful (to look at)
matter of time; question of time
decision; determination; resolution
test; trial; ordeal; tribulation
presumptuous; impertinent; impudent; ridiculous; laughable; absurd
delusion; wild idea; (wild) fancy; (ridiculous) fantasy
to put one's life on the line; to risk one's life; to put everything one has into it
insincerity; dishonesty; untruthfulness; bad faith
if that is the case; if it becomes so; when it becomes so
companion; follower; attendant; retinue
worthless; insignificant; unimportant; poor; miserable; wretched
to challenge to (a fight, game, etc.); to throw down the gauntlet; to tackle (e.g. a problem); to attempt; to pressure (someone) for sex; to make advances to
like; as; so that; in order that; be sure to; I hope (that)
to be conspicuous; to stand out
to burst into tears; to burst out crying; to begin to cry; to be moved to tears
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); still; all the same; even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
to prepare oneself for the worst; to strengthen one's resolve; to accept one's fate; to prepare oneself
to swear; to vow; to take an oath; to pledge
hideout (e.g. of fugitive from justice); hiding place
to give up as hopeless; to wash one's hands (of someone or something)
to plan; to form a plan; to scheme; to envision; to intend to do
playing to the gallery; grandstanding; ad hoc; haphazard; dress rehearsal
to be flabbergasted; to be dumbfounded
gathering evidence (e.g. to back a news story); getting the facts; obtaining supporting evidence
the prospects look brighter; there is hope of accomplishing (something)
how; in what way; how about; questionable
skill; proficiency; experience; dexterity
didn't stir an inch; not stirring a muscle
to be lit (e.g. candle, lamp, light bulb); to be lighted; to be burning
shell (of a crab, tortoise, etc.); carapace; (person's) back; years of experience
ladybug; ladybird; lady beetle; Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis); harlequin ladybird
lizard; skink lizard (Scincidae spp.)
veteran (e.g. soldier); battle-hardened; seasoned; (of) long military service
to become frightened; to get scared; to be seized with fear; to be intimidated; to lose one's nerve; to get cold feet
a little less than; a little under; weakness; the weak; -lower (seismic intensity)
sole; single; solo; independence; singleness; singularity
the most; the extreme; prime; conspicuous
outer circumference; perimeter; outskirts; periphery