newsworthiness; news hook; topicality; popularity (of a topic, issue, etc.)
battle; war; fight (against time, poverty, etc.); struggle (for freedom, survival, etc.); contest; competition
formidable enemy; strong enemy; tough enemy
to become dim; to become blurred
place; spot; grounds; arena; stadium; range
two times; twice; two degrees
unfortunately; unluckily; regrettably
(temporary) closure (of a theater, entertainment venue, etc.); absence (from a performance, match, etc.); sitting out; absence (from a bout or tournament); holiday; closure (of a stock exchange)
at a stroke; with a single swoop
first place; first rank; units position (of a number)
fierce (fight, competition, etc.); severe; hot; hard; bitter; keen
big; large; drastic; full-width cloth (approx. 72 cm wide for traditional Japanese clothing; approx. 140 cm wide for Western clothing)
start; commencement; beginning; initiation
6th day of the month; six days
health problem; poor physical health; bad shape; feeling unwell
to vacate; to surrender (e.g. a castle); to give up (e.g. a position); to hand over (e.g. power)
loss; defeat; counter for losses
layer; stratum; class; stratum; sheaf; counter for stories (of a building)
formation; molding; making (up); repair (e.g. with plastic surgery); replacement; -plasty
frame; framework; border; box; limit; restriction; category
dropping out; falling behind; omission; being left out; falling off; coming off
schedule; program; programme; agenda
black spot; black dot; mark indicating a defeat; loss; failure
to cut into (a line, conversation, etc.); to force oneself into (e.g. a crowd); to fall below (of stock prices, sales, etc.); to drop below; to wedge; to play a wedge
remainder; remnant; the rest; what is left; balance; leftovers
complete victory; winning a tournament with no losses
hope; promise; expectation; anticipation; side of a structural member
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
satisfactory; desirable; favourable; seeming (to be); appearing
title fight; championship match
with a glitter; with a sparkle; brand new; shiny and new; cleaned (of a plate, etc.); finished
station wagon; estate car; minivan; people carrier
class (of students); group (of people); party; lot; bunch; crime family; organized-crime syndicate
condition of a patient; state of a disease; pathology
outside an office, laboratory, power plant, etc.
seat (esp. in public places or places with assigned seating); seating