with a burst of strength; rapidly; in one go
to win through (e.g. to the next round); to win game after game; to achieve a final victory; to fight to the end and win; to come out on top
just managing; with great difficulty
to find fault (with); to cavil (at); to carp (about); to throw a wet blanket (on); to throw cold water (on); to jinx
to half-rise to one's feet
to devote all one's energies; to give one's everything; to put in all one's effort
labour; labor; effort; toil; trouble
election; selection; choice
time; season; period; phase; stage
veteran (in a particular field); person with a lot of experience; old hand
to move back; to draw back; to lessen; to subside; to resign; to retire
granted that; even if; even though
reeking of liquor; smelling of alcohol
to take a breath; to take a short rest
minimum; lowest; minimal; at a minimum
(slowly and) carefully; without haste; thoroughly; deliberately; closely; meticulously
careful selection; careful screening; hand-picking
retirement; resignation; stepping down
health-related; health (problem, reasons, etc.); in terms of health; from a health standpoint; for one's health
the same; the said; likewise
act of God; irresistible force; inevitability; force majeure; vis major
difficult to say which of the two is better; hard to tell which is better; (there is) little to choose between them
to evaluate; to appraise; to comment on
certificate; certified document; (the) thumbs up; seal of approval; paper with signature of the shogun or lord
nature; disposition; temperament; qualities; attributes; talents
to imitate; to copy; to enter someone as a candidate; to press (e.g. a weapon against someone's back); to compare; to liken
desirable; hoped for; preferable; advisable
ruler; measure; measuring stick; standard; criterion; yardstick
to kick down; to oust (a rival) to advance oneself; to push (someone) aside to get ahead
to snatch (from someone); to tear (away); to steal
to use as a pretext; to use as an excuse
ulterior motive; plot; scheme; complicated circumstances; intricacies
various foreign countries; several foreign countries
evaluation; appraisal; assessment; judgement; estimation; criticism
looks (esp. of a woman); features; ability; capability; (public) estimation (esp. of a man); credit
to make sure of; to ascertain; to confirm; to grasp
to smile broadly; to grin widely
licking one's lips (at the sight of appetizing food); licking one's lips (in anticipation); waiting eagerly (for); salivating (e.g. at the thought)
instead; but (on the other hand)
to spread; to propagate; to popularize; to broaden; to extend; to widen
staring (e.g. eyes); goggling; glaring