contest; competition; struggle; scramble
tag; slip; label; sticker
appetizer; starter; hors d'oeuvre
to prepare oneself for the worst; to strengthen one's resolve; to accept one's fate; to prepare oneself
to devote oneself wholeheartedly to; to sacrifice one's health for; to risk one's life
to count on; to anticipate; to expect
from what (I've) seen; given that ...
unique; rare; exceptional; unparalleled; incomparable
hereabouts; around there; that area
(at) any time; always; at all times; whenever
total energy; all efforts
stepping stones; stone skipping; ducks and drakes
transit point; transit airport; connection airport
besides; furthermore; on top of that; and yet; nevertheless; even so
to put one's strength into
monologue; soliloquy; talking to oneself
uncharacteristic; unbefitting; unworthy (of)
great victory; big win; huge profit; killing
notebook; memorandum; commonplace book
to splash; to raise (e.g. prices)
straight; directly; voyage; journey; straight road
hammer; hopeless swimmer; complete beginner at swimming; someone who sinks like a stone
right time; appropriate time; season's greetings
absolutely every little bit; everything from A to Z; systematically; thoroughly; one after another
rampancy; prevalence; domination
to have a narrow escape from death
late attendance; lateness; tardiness
fighting bravely; strenuous efforts
becoming a mere shell; becoming a dead letter; losing (one's) substance; being reduced to a formality
sounding out; measuring the depths (of a river)
satisfying; pleasing; gratifying