decisive battle; deciding match; play-off
war; battle; match; game; competition
promise; agreement; arrangement; something expected or predictable (e.g. running gag); typical or clichéd development (in a story); something considered obligatory or guaranteed (in a certain situation)
evening glow; red sunset; afterglow (of sunset)
final game; final games; the finals
romance (e.g. Arthurian romances); heroic tale; (nigh) impossible dream; adventurous spirit; (full-length) novel; romance
as was expected; just as one thought; sure enough; really; actually; ever
dropping out; falling behind; omission; being left out; falling off; coming off
Nichiren chant; (an empty) slogan
both people; two people; two directions; both directions
to one's heart's content; to one's complete satisfaction; as much as one likes; heartily; thoroughly; without restraint
to swing; to wield (physically); to exercise (e.g. power, ability); to exhibit; to flourish; to prosper
climax; peak; zenith; apex
quick-witted; quick to understand
decision of a contest; finals (in sports)
a blink of time; (lit.) the time it takes to say "Ah!"
this way and that; (by) various means; (by) every means
number of votes obtained (polled)
to earn (income); to make (money); to score (points, victory); to gain (time); to work hard (at one's job); to labor
to make an enemy (of); to antagonize
the most; the best; peerless; the greatest; first-rate
negligence; neglect; carelessness; procrastination
interrogative sentence-ending particle expressing doubt
timid; weak-kneed; fainthearted; bearish (e.g. market)
breaking the front line; frontal breakthrough
hesitation; bewilderment; illusion; delusion; inability to reach enlightenment
to stab; to stick; to pierce; to thrust
to scheme; to plan; to play a trick; to invent; to conspire; to frame up
whether you like it or not; no matter what one may do; in any event; at all events; (lit.) whether you laugh or cry
last; final; end; conclusion; rust
cutting edge; leading edge; forefront; tip; end
axis; axle; plan; contrivance
to endeavor (endeavour); to try; to strive; to make an effort; to exert oneself; to be diligent
acquisition (esp. corporate); buy-out; takeover; bribery; buying off; corruption
tale; short story; sketch comedy; skit
book title; heading; topic; subject; Nichiren Buddhist chant
opportunism; double standards; timeserving; expediency
to plan; to attempt; to plot; to conspire; to deceive; to trick
villain; baddie; the villain's part
to be outdone (by); to be in inferior (to); to compare unfavorably (with); to be behind