no matter what it takes; by any means necessary; at all costs; by hook or by crook
to say enough (as much as required); to say plenty; to say well; to say cleverly; to say often; to say frequently
rumour; rumor; hearsay; report
to break; to destroy; to wreck; to ruin; to break (a bill, etc.)
dead men tell no tales; the dead cannot speak in their own defense
image of (an ideal) person
preface; introduction; preamble
the deceased; the departed; old friend; longtime acquaintance
skillful; adroit; craft; craftsmanship; plot; scheme
superhuman feat; consummate skill
excessive; too much; unreasonable
series of battles; successive battles
consecutive victories; series of victories; winning streak
dying in a fit of anger or indignation
to create a stir; to make waves; to raise a question about; to cause a sensation
elementary; basic; rudimentary
to cling to; to hold on to; to grapple; to set about doing; to begin; to possess (someone; of an evil spirit, idea, etc.)
disposal; abandonment; scrapping; annulment; cancellation; abrogation
in that case; (might not be what was expected or hoped for but) if that's the case
sweeping victory; easy victory
regrettable defeat; defeat by a narrow margin
thing that brings good or bad luck; popular belief; superstition; jinx
somehow; for some reason or other
win; victory; beautiful scenery; scenic spot; counter for wins
in turns; in series; in order; by rotation
tsk; tut; shoot; chirp; tweet
charm; attractiveness; courtesy; ingratiating behaviour; entertainment; amusement
republican form of government
affected; smug; pompous; conceited; snobby; pretentious
brazenly; shamelessly; alternating wins and losses (every other day); (arch.) stupidly; (arch.) cluelessly; (arch.) slipping away secretly
to turn yellow; to become tinged with yellow; to yellow (with age)
dandy; handsome and fashionable man; fop; chivalrous man
row of teeth; set of teeth; dentition