gradually; slowly but steadily
inside one's heart; in one's mind
(within a) territory; domains
opposition; rivalry; competition; antagonism
whole nation; whole land; whole country
day after tomorrow; wrong (e.g. direction)
occupation forces; occupation army
beyond that point; after that
to advance on; to close in; to march on; to descend on (the enemy); to move towards; to surge forward (crowd, wave of nostalgia, wave, etc.)
armed forces; military; troops
to get one's head around; to think about
by all means; at any cost; whether (one is) willing or not; willingly or unwillingly; on no account; by no means
black ground; black cloth
astounding; tremendous; crazy; exorbitant
to hug someone close; to hold someone tight; to embrace closely
sanity; consciousness; soberness
unattractive; ugly; unstylish; uncool
such ... as; or some such
to build up; to establish (one's reputation)
preparation; provision; guarding
do-or-die resistance; resistance to the bitter end
(place of) refuge; escape; exit; way out; shelter; hiding place
choices; alternatives; options
war; fighting; fierce competition
to blow upon; to breathe on; to pick (a fight); to force (unreasonable terms); to exaggerate; to overcharge
slim; slender; lithe; smoothly; without resistance; without trouble
at the last moment; this late in the game
illegal entry (into a country); illegal immigration
to work on (someone); to appeal to; to make approaches to; to begin to work
careful thought; consideration; deliberation; reflection; rumination; pondering
to have heard somewhere; to sound familiar
statue; picture; picture revealing character
exactly the same; identical; exact; perfect
one's eyes; (pair of) eyes
bare (naked) body; complexion (e.g. face)
fleeting; transient; short-lived; empty (dream, etc.); mere (hope); faint (possibility)
destined; predestined; fated; fateful
difference; disparity; gap
to live; to make a living; to get on with
on the same occasion; at the same time; coincidentally; along with; partly (to do, for)
to bear; to stand; to support; to withstand; to be fit for; to be equal to