elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
on the way; en route; in the middle of; midway; halfway
whole life; a lifetime; all through life; (the only, the greatest, etc.) of one's life
opposite side; other side; other party
priest soldier; warrior monk
captain; commander; commanding officer; leader
management; (executive) staff; leaders; leadership; top brass; upper echelons
to all be in attendance (at a meeting, etc.); to all gather together
lowest seat; foot of the table; seat furthest from the seat of honour; lowest rank; bottom (e.g. of the class)
to take part in a conference
battle; war; fight (against time, poverty, etc.); struggle (for freedom, survival, etc.); contest; competition
achievement; feat; meritorious deed; distinguished service
to some extent; to a certain extent
to put back; to return; to vomit; to throw up; to recover (of a market price)
expectation; anticipation; hope; promising; rising; up-and-coming
money to cover the cost of preparations or arrangements
huge; vast; enormous; swelling; expansion
to put in order; to arrange; to get ready; to prepare; to adjust; to regulate (e.g. rhythm, tune, one's breathing)
holding a castle (during a siege); holing up; confinement (to one's home); staying at home; staying indoors
bare minimum; minimum necessary (amount, number, etc.)
to rise; to swell; to intensify; to increase; to grow stronger; to get higher
victory; triumph; win; conquest; success
brilliant; glorious; glittering; bright; splendid (e.g. achievement, success); promising (e.g. future)
encouragement; inspiration; rousing; stirring up; raising (e.g. morale)
unhurt; uninjured; flawless (e.g. gem); unblemished; spotless (e.g. reputation); faultless (e.g. performance)
to encourage (someone); to cheer (someone) up; to give (someone) a charge; to empower
January; first month of the lunar calendar
good correspondent; ready writer
something; some; somehow; for some reason; (so) what (are you trying to say)?; what (do you mean)?
measure; step; countermeasure; counterplan; countermove; strategy
hoop (of a barrel, bucket, etc.); discipline; solidarity
ruffian; villain; peculiar person; idiosyncratic person; tricky thing; something that is more than it seems
somehow; how; in what way; why; what kind of
in line with this; therefore; consequently; so; such being the case; in that regard
occasion; time; circumstances; (in) case (of); when
advance guard; vanguard; athlete who competes in the first match of a team competition (kendo, judo, etc.)
will (to do something); drive; motivation; enthusiasm; eagerness
to spout out; to spurt out; to sprout; to bud; to burst into laughter; to blow (smoke, etc.)
to do something distinguished; to perform great deeds; to distinguish oneself (e.g. in war)