champion; (first-prize) winner; victor; titleholder
closing party; closing event of a school, etc. festival
(understanding or appreciation of) culture; (one's) education; cultivation; sophistication; refinement
crack; fissure; rift (in a relationship); split; crack
this sort of; this type of
favorite (top choice) for the championship (favourite); best bet for the title
extended leave; long vacation
better; preferable; more; increase; (arch.) increase; (arch.) growth
overall victory; championship; winning the title; (being in) heaven; bliss; perfect contentment
in form; ceremonial; for form's sake; pro forma
itchy; creepy; feeling uneasy
advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint
first match (in a series)
being defeated; being eliminated (from competition)
to injure; to damage; to kill; to hinder; to obstruct
suddenly and precipitately; take a sudden turn
uncouth person; disgusting fellow; nuisance; outcast; bore
expressing one's feelings; communicating one's intention; declaration of intent
superior airs; air of importance; overemphasis
faddist; follow-the-crowd type; poser; trend junkie; sheep
starting; inauguration; launch; founding; establishment; start-up
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
what's that?; what the ...
hooray; yay; whee; yowzer; whoopee; yes
detonation by contact; contact detonation; touching off (something); triggering; sparking
taking advantage of (an opportunity); jumping on the bandwagon; taking passage (in); getting a lift; getting a ride
lament (song); elegy; dirge; Lamentations (book of the Bible)
merrymaking; high jinks; drunken revelry; spree
to link (information, accounts, etc.); to associate; to connect
exceptional; unusual; extraordinary; unprecedented; singular
limited time; limited-time offer
to return; to come home; to leave (of a guest, customer, etc.); to get home; to get to home plate
horseplay; fooling around
standing; standing still (bicycle sprint technique used for positioning); standings; rankings; standing (e.g. army); permanent
to mark the end; to spell the end
egosearching; egosurfing; self-googling