plan to overcome an obstacle or break out of a deadlock; breakthrough solution
to think out; to devise; to invent; to begin to think; to come up with a plan
gaining time; stalling for time; time-buying
to fail to hear something; to miss; to act as if one didn't hear something; to let a remark slide
mock exam; practice exam; practice test
student preparing for or taking examinations (usu. entrance exams); test-taker
(outward) looks; features; face; countenance; expression
time (for, to do); time (to finish a race, lap, etc.); time-out; thyme
messy; shabby; scruffy; dirty; squalid; sordid
Palace of the Dragon King; palace from the story of Urashima Taro (said to be located at the bottom of the sea)
Urashima Tarō; fairy-tale fisherman who, after visiting the underwater Palace of the Dragon King, returns centuries later
from the beginning; from scratch
unexpected; contrary to expectations; by chance; casual
taking refuge; finding shelter; evacuation; escape; seeking safe haven
choral chanting; chanting in chorus (e.g. at a demonstration)
obedient; submissive; docile; meek; pliant
to meddle (in someone's affairs); to poke one's nose into; to interfere; to make a pass (at someone); to hit on
(common) soldier; rank and file; army; troops; warfare; strategy
iron plate; steel plate; sure thing; certain winner
sacred scripture; sacred book; holy book; writings of a sage
way of talking; speaking style
it says ...; it reads ...; ... is written
to begin (doing); to start; to set about; to get down to
together; jointly; at the same time; with; both
Japan's best; number one in Japan
eager; earnest; ardent; OFF (on switch)
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
young person; youth; young
protracted war; war of attrition
to look out on; to overlook; to face (a situation, crisis, etc.); to meet (e.g. death); to deal with (an issue); to attend (e.g. a function)
fighting with one's back to the wall; having burnt one's bridges; last stand; last-ditch effort
battlefield; battleground
to win over; to win (someone's) heart and mind
improper way (of doing); wrong way; unorthodox method; evil course; evil path; heresy
first half of a game; first half of a match
script; screenplay; scenario
to have a flag set (indicates the setting of a variable that determines, for example, how a game will end)
sweet and sour; bittersweet (feeling)