deciding match; play-off; runoff
deciding match (in a competition for a cup (pennant))
to get on a horse; to mount a horse
distant place; faraway location; far away
nonstandard; out of spec; irregular; exceptional; extraordinary; unbelievable
square formation (of troops); magic square
fraction; odd amount; leftover amount
win or lose; sink or swim; make or break; all or nothing
risky speculation; big gamble; large bet
doing as one is told; yes-man
rapid succession (e.g. questions)
devoting (oneself) to; concentrating (one's efforts) on
preparedness for death; do-or-die spirit
to choose the best; to select carefully; to handpick
single combat; duel; one-on-one fight
highly ridiculous; quite absurd
to swing late (at a ball)
violently; without holding anything back; firmly; resolutely
stiff and slackless; tense without any looseness; cling tightly; pulled or stretched as far as possible; creaking of a door or oar
to mutually recognize; to agree; to accept
impressive; striking; memorable; impactful
by your leave; with your permission
(for the) first time this year
tenacity; persistence; obsession; implacability
commandant; commanding officer; general
in unison; as one; united
heartlessness; hardness of heart; coldheartedness; insentient; inanimate
overriding principle; main principle; great principle
important task; important role; major part (in a film, play, etc.); leading role; high-scoring combination
if you are so inclined; if it suits you; if you like
(a) jump; splashes (usu. of mud); upward turn at the bottom (e.g. of a vertical stroke of a kanji or of a hairdo); close (e.g. of a theatrical performance); breakup; hane (move)
to tie; to link; to connect; to correlate
constitution (physical); physical make-up; predisposition (to disease); character (of a group, organization, etc.); innate characteristics; make-up
negative; passive; half-hearted; unmotivated