in itself; the thing itself; this itself; for its own sake; per se
to knock down; to shoot down; to lop off
you must be kidding; hey, come on!; surely not!
first (of all); firstly; probably; most likely; more or less (satisfactory); on the whole
advantages and disadvantages; interests (of parties)
coincidence; agreement; conformity; consistency; cooperation
apprehensions; misgivings; uneasiness; anxiety; fear
at a moment's notice; readily
military force; military strength
backing; support; backer; shield that protects one's back
useless; no future in it; doesn't make sense; having no point
to accompany; to go hand in hand with; to be consequent upon; to be accompanied by; to bring with; to take with
in name only; titular; nominal
valid; proper; right; appropriate; reasonable
comprehensive; composite; all-embracing
to reach; to amount to; to be up to the task; to come up to; to compare with; to be a match (for)
surrounding countries; neighboring countries; neighbouring countries
disorder; chaos; confusion; mayhem
be (that) as it may; having said that
careless; stupid; thoughtless; heedless; unobservant; inadvertent
to invade; to attack; to breach; to penetrate
religious organization; religious organisation
use; utilization; utilisation; application
to cut down; to slay; to truncate; to round down; to omit; to discard
to insure (something); to come up with a back-up plan; to hedge one's bets; to play it safe
interest (in something); curiosity (about something); zest (for)
prize winner; pennant winner; victor
audience (with a superior, e.g. nobility)
the five elements (in Japanese philosophy: earth, water, fire, wind and void); five great wisdom kings
war; fighting; fierce competition
side (of something, or taking someone's side); part; (watch) case
military forces; hosts; troops
to lead; to spearhead (a group); to command (troops)
king; ruler; tycoon; magnate; king (of the senior player)
to consider as; to regard (as equivalent); to deem (as); to equate
I fear that it's likely that; with all due respect
expectation; anticipation; purpose; intention; others' opinions of one; speculation
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care