government; administration
to forestall; to beat to the punch; to anticipate; to play the first move (e.g. in go)
disadvantage; handicap; unfavorable position
position (where one is standing); place where one stands; position; stance; standpoint
to herd; to drive; to corner; to force someone into doing; to go hard; to push yourself
guarantee; security; assurance; pledge; warranty
having said that; on the other hand
outbreak of war; starting a war
morale (of troops, team, etc.); esprit de corps
to prove successful; to take hold; to amount to something
revival from the brink of death; recovering from a hopeless situation; resuscitation; revitalization
one move (in go, shogi, etc.); only way; only means; doing alone; doing single-handed
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
private; confidential; informal; secret; (within the) family circle; (on the) inside
domestic and foreign; inside and outside the country
chief vassal; senior statesman
behind closed doors; behind-the-scenes; (under the veil of) secrecy
planning; devising (a plan); drafting; drawing up
accomplishment; execution
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
escape; flight; running away; elopement; fleeing
no matter what it takes; by any means necessary; at all costs; by hook or by crook
to catch; to capture; to catch hold of (someone); to stop (e.g. a stranger in the street); towards (someone); at (someone)
apron of a gun; cover for the touch-hole on a cannon or matchlock
interior; inside; internal
hailing each other; acting in concert; responding (to); agreement; concord
both armies; both teams; both sides
national border; provincial border
neighborhood; vicinity; environs; approaching
to clash; to collide; to conflict; to meet (by chance); to come across; to run into
massing (of troops); gathering
goal; target; aim; mark; sign; landmark
exceedingly; extremely; decisively
kind; cordial; hospitable; serious (of an illness)
pile; pool; gathering spot; waiting place for a wrestler beside the ring; liquid runoff from miso preparation; tamari
climax; peak; zenith; apex
daring and resolute; having dauntless courage