poverty-stricken; destitute; poor; penurious
to get in someone's pocket; to help oneself to someone's wallet; to curry favour (favor); to butter up; to get in close to one's opponent
in good health; healthy; skilled; proficient; master; expert
flavour; flavor; taste; charm; appeal; interest
hot-blooded; hot-headed; temperamental; impulsive
foundation stone; cornerstone
last days; the end; one's fate
to be dampened (of one's enthusiasm, enjoyment, etc.); to be reduced; to be weakened; to be spoiled
defensive body movement (judo, kendo, etc.)
metamorphosis; disguise; transformation; shapeshifting; morphing
reveal of how a trick is done; disclosure of a secret (cause, source, etc.); exposure; explanation
guess; conjecture; surmise
fighting with one's back to the wall; having burnt one's bridges; last stand; last-ditch effort
with a single blow; with one stroke
uncertain; doubtful; unreliable; unsteady; unclear; vague
slip; omission; upshot; denouement; punch line (of a joke)
slowly (but steadily); little by little; with a sizzle; burning; oozing out (e.g. of sweat)
cooperation; coordination; collaboration; integration; linking
will-o'-the-wisp; ignis fatuus
immediate (effect, result, etc.); instant; instantaneous; prompt
reflection (of light); reflection (of society, attitudes, etc.); application (of an update, changes, etc.); taking effect
very; greatly; much; just about to; almost; very nearly
to deceive; to delude; to trick; to be as ... as ... (e.g. "as bright as day", "as beautiful as a rose")
to be shut; to close; to be firm (of a body, face, etc.); to be well-knit; to be locked; to tighten
everything; for (to) everything; (in) anything
prior; beforehand; in advance; before the fact; ex ante
to perform in tune with each other; to get along well; to be in perfect harmony; to make a perfect pair (team, etc.)
thickly (of smoke, steam, etc.); stiflingly (hot air); suffocatingly; pungently
interruption; discontinuance; suspension; cancellation (of a planned event); calling off
(something) so small; so little; trifling
to hurry; to rush; to quicken (of one's breath); to pant; to gasp (for air)
fork; junction; parting of the ways; turning point
finishing in one go; completing in one sitting; (doing something) in a single breath
taking a breath (while singing, swimming, etc.); short break; breather
to picture; to come into one's mind; to remember
excellence; superiority; preeminence; prevalence
strength; toughness; bravery; boldness
as (much) as possible; as (much) as one can; wherever practicable; if possible