appetizer; starter; hors d'oeuvre
scene; setting; scene (in a movie, play); shot; state of the market
cowardly; craven; unfair; mean; sneaky
to strike back at; to bite back; to turn on; to rise against; to oppose; to defy
to be in a fit (of anger); to rage
retreat; falling back; recession; waning; backspace (key)
formation; molding; making up; repair (e.g. plastic surgery); replacement; -plasty
battle formation; camp; encampment; group; gang; war
individual; one by one; separate; each
each; (arch.) you (plural)
without leaving any trace
to crumble away; to collapse
transition; change; progress; passing (of time)
desperation; self-abandonment
to spring at; to leap upon; to swoop down on; to throw oneself upon (e.g. an enemy)
specialized weapon or skill; specialised weapon or skill
root of an evil; source of a problem; source of trouble; cause of misfortune
entry into a castle (by a conquering force)
to attract notice; to catch the eye; to stand out
to be in a tizzy; to be in a frenzy; to have one's eyes light up; to have a different look in one's eyes
to do something in readiness for; to get something (needful) done
having one's back to the wall; having nowhere to go; having no way out; not having another chance
to harm; to hurt; to injure; to miss one's chance to (do something); to fail to (do what one ought to have done)
friend and foe; enemies and allies; both sides
excessive; unmerited; generous; past participle
advantage; benefit; profit; interest
confused fight; free-for-all; melee; close contest; close match
to lose; to be defeated; to succumb; to give in; to be inferior to; to break out in a rash due to (e.g. lacquer, shaving, etc.)
to settle (a problem); to put an end to (a dispute); to be disposed of; to be settled; to come to an end
balance of power (in a relationship); power dynamic
half; 50%; tie; 5 parts; 5%
decisive blow; game-winning hit (e.g. in baseball)
to repel; to drive away; to repulse; to reject
to be prolonged; to drag on
to coil about; to follow about; to surround; to cling to
bounds; limits; boundary fence (esp. of horse-riding ground)
throwing in; inserting; investment; commitment (of funds, personnel, etc.); launching (a product into the market); introduction
to cut up; to cleave; to spare (time, money, etc.); to use part of something; (arch.) to have a tattoo in the corner of one's eye
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
condition; situation; prospects
to kick into the air; to kick up; to kick from below
to make way for; to make room for; to get out of the way; to pave the way for; to open up opportunity