preliminary contest; qualifying round; trial; preliminary selection; screening (e.g. of applicants); provisional election
being defeated; being eliminated (from competition)
to wedge one's way in; to push in (between); to step in (between); to interrupt (a conversation, quarrel, etc.); to intervene
participatory; participating; hands-on
festival; feast; harassment by an Internet pitchfork mob; online shaming; galore (as in "goals galore"); frenzy
speaking of ...; when it comes to ...; as for ...; if one were to say ...
around the world; throughout the world
to compete with; to vie for
originally; from the start; from the beginning; none the worse (for); (coming out) even; in the same position (as before)
superior; excellent; brilliant; outstanding
mass meeting; convention; tournament; competition; grand event
globally; on the global stage; on a worldwide level
to win fame; to become widely known; to make a name for oneself
territory; dominion; grounds (e.g. school)
being in love with each other
to go to the top; to climb to the top; to ascend to the top; to be engrossed in; to be very enthusiastic about; to be infatuated with
legend; folklore; tradition
(wandering) minstrel; troubadour
song; singing; classical Japanese poem (esp. tanka); modern poetry
model; dummy; model (profession); fashion model; model (of a vehicle, machine, etc.); version; model (e.g. mathematical)
to put effort into; to strain; to put strength into; to put forth effort
a touch (of sadness, unease, etc.); a tinge (of); a hint (of); a smear (of paint, ink, etc.); one stroke (of a brush)
port city; harbor city; harbour city
entrance door; front door; gateway (to a region, etc.)
just to make sure; just to be sure; for confirmation; just in case; for caution's sake; by way of precaution
some; few; a number of; somewhat; to a certain extent; a bit
royal capital; imperial capital
interest; eagerness; enthusiasm
to declare; to assert; to state definitively; to finish saying; to say everything; to tell all
ascent; uphill; upward slope; (gradual) upturn; increase
genuine; real; authentic; full-scale; full-blown; all-out
height of; middle of; full bloom
hazy; misty; foggy; hazy feeling; uncertain feeling; feeling gloomy
to be able to see far into the distance; to have good long-distance vision
very; very much; greatly; considerably; highly; exceedingly
to be useful; to be helpful; to serve the purpose
support; backup; prop; backstay; underpinning
admiration; being impressed; admirable; praiseworthy; astonishment; being appalled
to pile up; to stack; to load (car, ship, etc.); to pack; to acquire; to accumulate