initial state; initial condition
elevation; rise; improvement; advancement; progress
exploitation; overuse; abuse
willpower; guts; determination; character; nature; disposition
top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
up to now; so far; traditional; conventional; usual
to manipulate (someone); to make (someone) dance to one's tune; to lead astray; to make (someone) dance; to let dance
to be scorched into; to be seared into; to make a strong impression; to be etched in (one's memory)
square (shape); square (open space); formal; methodical; square (tool)
to draw (a bow) to the limit; to pull tight; to squeeze tight; to strain (voice)
one line; one streak; one item (in an itemized form); one clause; one matter (affair, event, case, incident)
to push; to thrust; to press (down); to push (e.g. a button); to stamp (e.g. one's name); to affix (a seal); to affix (e.g. gold leaf)
aim; object; expectations; prospects; something that can be relied upon; snack served with alcoholic drink; pad
to send (something) flying; to splatter; to drive (something) off
to stumble a step or two forward (when trying to stop); to pass one's destination and stumble a step or two forward; to totter
to begin shooting; to shoot out
to soar; to fly; to run; to dash
to scatter away; to fly away; to blow away; to be removed without trace; to vanish
to paint over; to paint out; to fill in; to cover completely (with paint)
halation (i.e. in photography, a halo-effect when additional light leaks out around the subject)
sedimentation (e.g. of red blood cells); precipitation; settling; subsidence (e.g. of land); sinking; submerging
lifespan; life; lifetime; life (of a battery, lightbulb, etc.); service life; end of an object's (useful) life
tip; point; end; (very) beginning; start
standing in a row; forming a line; alignment
leaving the front line; retiring from the game; deserting the battle
root of an evil; source of a problem; source of trouble; cause of misfortune
second division; secondary division
receiving (a message, letter, email, etc.); reception (radio, TV, etc.)
progress; advance; making (good) progress
to lay the blame on; to put the fault on
unsteadily (walking); waddling; staggeringly; totteringly
in person; personally; (do) oneself
to fill to capacity; to pack; to complete; to tessellate
introduction (from abroad); transmission (through successive generations); being handed down (from generation to generation); being passed down
various articles; various items; various kinds
small (token of one's gratitude, etc.); little (something by way of thanks); mere (trifle)
to finish off; to ensure (something) is dead; to put an end to; to deliver the final blow; to be the best for A