to act up (machine); to go out of tune (instrument); to not work right; to be knocked off stride; to lose one's bearings; to lose one's presence of mind
to speak frankly; to put things bluntly
fair attack; fair tactics; straightforward approach; standard procedure; established method
to rely on; to depend on; to count on; to turn to (for help)
confused fight; free-for-all; melee; dogfight; scuffle; rough-and-tumble
to challenge to (a fight, game, etc.); to throw down the gauntlet; to tackle (e.g. a problem); to attempt; to pressure (someone) for sex; to make advances to
before oneself; in front of one; a bit before reaching (a location); this side (of a location); one's standpoint; one's appearance; skill
close combat; close(-quarter) fighting; in-fighting
main constituent; core; nucleus; subject
ambush; troops in ambush; unexpected opposition; unexpected obstacle
to sense; to perceive; to understand; to comprehend; to attain enlightenment
to stand watch; to stand guard; to look out; to open (one's eyes) wide
to surge like an avalanche; to flood; to swarm; to stampede
prior; beforehand; in advance; before the fact; ex ante
locational advantage; advantageous position
bloodshot eyes; (doing something in a) frenzy
gradually; by degrees; little by little; bit by bit
to compromise; to meet halfway; to step up to; to walk up to; to approach
promise; agreement; appointment; engagement; convention; rule
being the runner-up; finishing second
two classes; double; two sets
generally; on the whole; general; rough; outline; main points
set of three; three sets; three classes
order; rank; position (e.g. in a race); precedence
close friend; good friend; bosom buddy; chum; pal
to harden; to solidify; to become firm; to become certain; to gather (together); to assemble
round robin; having no losing tickets (of a lottery); brute force (in cryptography); using all combinations
pattern; figure; state; condition; conjecture of the current situation; the way it seems; model
probability; likelihood; chances
in a sense; in some way; to an extent
(not) particularly; (not) especially; (not) very; (not) much
resistance; opposition; reluctance; repulsion; resistance; drag
treachery; betrayal; perfidy
to act timid; to show diffidence; to be hesitant; to appear embarrassed; to look ashamed
advantage; point in favor; point in favour
if that's the case ...; if so ...; that being the case ...
with a (heavy) creak; with a (dull) squeak; with a grating sound; with a rasping sound
self first; striving to be first; scrambling for
to run into; to rush into; to (run and) seek refuge in; to take shelter in