to mow down; to cut down; to slash (horizontally); to make a clean sweep; to sweep away; to brush away
to blow against; to spray (paint, etc.; onto a surface)
stool (stood on to reach high objects); small stepladder; (fig.) stepping stone
one swing; one shake (e.g. of pepper); one sword
to send (something) flying; to splatter; to drive (something) off
counterattack; slashing back; railway switchback; twisting backward knee trip
to leap back; to jump back
cutting straight down; cleaving (a person) in two
base of the throat; bottom of the neck
to use (as a tool) for one's own advantage; to use as a pretext; to use as an excuse
masterpiece; masterwork; chef d'oeuvre; (unintentionally) hilarious; absurd (e.g. blunder); outrageous
to become blunt; to grow dull; to become less capable; to weaken; to falter
matters that should be reflected on; points in need of review
to become stormy; to become rough (of the sea); to fall into ruin; to become neglected; to become rough (of skin); to get chapped
reverberation; swelling (of a hymn); lingering memory; aftertaste; suggestiveness (of a book, poem, etc.)
to compete with; to argue with; to quarrel
uncertain; indefinite; vague; ambiguous; equivocal; dubious
soft to the touch (e.g. fur, feathers); fluffy; to stroke (something fluffy); to rub; to pat
bashful; shameful; ashamed
at the very beginning of one's speech; immediately upon opening one's mouth (to speak); before anything else; first of all
to cling to; to embrace; to throw one's arms around
servile; subservient; obsequious; slavish; self-abasing; grovelling
to thrust at someone (e.g. a weapon); to point (a gun, knife, etc.) at; to hold up threateningly to (someone's face); to present forcefully (demand, document, etc.); to confront someone with (evidence, facts, etc.); to force upon
being nimble-footed; being quick on one's feet; fast running legs
one's place of appointment; one's post
wait-and-see (situation, stance, etc.); waiting to see (how things play out); watching developments (before acting); probe; probing move
to set on end (hair, fur, etc.); to make stand on end; to bristle; to ruffle (up); to raise (one's eyebrows)
excuse; explanation; justification; defense; defence
passionate; hot-blooded; full of vitality
to assault with a sword; to stab at; to slash at
to be seething (with anger); to be frenzied; to be menacing; to be murderous
ringleader; mastermind; leader (of a plot)
suspicion (of having committed a crime, wrongdoing)
as affairs stand; judging from the present situation; as things are now
depending on the answer; hinging on the reply