tempering (metal); annealing; forging; toughening; disciplining; training
paper-thin wafer (for wrapping powdered medicine, candies, etc.)
to hang (hold) back; to hold off; to refrain; to jot down a note
ripple; ring on the water; repercussions; Japanese slit drum; instrument made of iron with slits on top; makes a rippling sound
day in question; appointed day; that very day; the day (of issue, publication, etc.)
to parade; to march; to walk in procession
baton (relay, orchestral conducting, etc.)
assembly hall; meeting place; venue; site; grounds
reception (desk); information desk; receptionist; receipt; acceptance
entry (in an event, competition, etc.); applying for entry; registering to participate; entry (on a blog, in a database, etc.); post
party; group; troop; one act; one action; one deed
no wonder; little wonder; after all; as expected; which isn't surprising
preliminary contest; qualifying round; trial; preliminary selection; screening (e.g. of applicants); provisional election
war; battle; match; game; competition
participant; entrant; player; competitor
game; match; contest; competition; sport; (sporting) event
registrant; subscriber; enrollee
optional; voluntary; arbitrary; arbitrary
pair; set of two; pair-oared boat; pair; two of a kind
to compete; to vie; to make fight against another (person, animal); to pit against; to debate; to argue
slip; omission; upshot; denouement; punch line (of a joke)
decision of a contest; finals
being defeated; being eliminated (from competition)
player (of a sport); athlete; team member
participation (in a tournament, match, race, etc.); entry; appearance (on the stage, television, etc.); exiting (a venue, train station, etc.); exit; being dispatched (of an ambulance, fire engine, etc.)
the number of people; many people; a large number of people
plain; frank; candid; open; direct; straightforward
what; so-and-so; such and such; what?; wait; well, well
tightrope walking; high-wire act; funambulism; treading a tightrope; walking on thin ice; pulling a risky balancing act
deadly serious; deadly earnest
(swimming) pool; pool (cue sport); pooling (money, resources, etc.); pool (price ring)
treasure hunting; treasure hunt; lucky dip; game involving finding hidden prizes from a sand box, barrel of leaves, etc.
table; chart; list; memorial to an emperor
(dance) partner; (work) partner; partner; spouse
progress; pace; carriage; step; stage