to take (a person) unawares; to make a surprise attack
preemptive strike; preemptive attack; first strike
according to plan; as planned; on target
(good) result; outcome; fruits (of one's labors); product; accomplishment
speed; velocity; pace; velocity
regarding as important; attaching importance to; taking a serious view of; putting emphasis on
development; evolution; expansion; spreading out; expansion (of an algebraic expression); development (of a three-dimensional shape)
at the most; at best; to the utmost; as much as possible; as much as one can
stairs; rank; grade; guide; guidebook; slanted ladder (exercise equipment)
degree; amount; grade; standard; of the order of (following a number); about
to make matters worse; besides; what's more; in addition; on top of that
attack; assault; raid; criticism; censure; denunciation
to spread; to extend; to unfold; to open; to scatter about; to spread around
power; might; authority; influence
audience (with a person of high standing); eye-level
(not) so; (not) particularly; (not) very; (not) that much
to arrive at (e.g. a decision); to reach (a stage); to lead to (a place); to get to; in the extreme case of; (arch.) to come
one animal (small); (arch.) two-tan bolt of cloth
surprise attack; surprise visit; catching a person off guard
to regain one's footing; to get back on one's feet; to recover; (of the market) to improve
to start; to begin; to challenge; to pick (a fight); to set (traps); to plant (explosives)
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
check; keeping in check; containment (of enemy forces); diversionary action; pickoff throw; holding a runner on base
to shorten the distance (between); to close the gap (e.g. on the leader); to get closer (e.g. to someone); to close in (on)
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
to destroy; to demolish; to disturb; to put into disorder; to relax (one's pose); to make oneself at ease; to break (a bill)
gap; space; break; interlude; chink (in one's armor, armour); chance
favorite (to win); favourite; likely winner; one's heart's desire; first choice
as much as possible; as far as possible; whenever possible; if (at all) possible
to flash (e.g. lightning); to flicker; to flutter (e.g. flag); to wave; to flash into one's mind (e.g. an idea); to come to one suddenly
sword; blade; single stroke
to hit (e.g. to have a car hit someone); to run into; to reject; to deny; to eliminate; to exclude; to flip
to leap back; to jump back