half and half; fifty-fifty
(sound effect for) collapsing; losing strength; slumping; losing balance
to fall over; to fall down; to fall; to flop (e.g. of a play); to be a flop
to come to nothing; to be in vain; to lead nowhere
duty; sense of duty; honor; in-law; relation by marriage
of all people; a person of ...'s standing
mediocre; ordinary; commonplace; banal
back lane; byway; back street; unfair means; dishonest means
to benefit; to profit; to gain; to reap rewards
structure; construction; arrangement; plan; plot; contrivance
secret trick; hidden method; trick of the trade; cheat (in a video game)
hot blood; warm blood; zeal; fervor; fervour
taste; elegance; appearance; air; the likes of ...; lowly people such as ...
emission; emanation; letting out (feelings); venting; divergence (of light); divergence
weather; the elements; fair weather; fine weather
weather; climatic conditions; fine weather; clear day; situation; state of affairs
black curtain; wirepuller; mastermind; backroom manipulator
to apply for; to make an application; to propose (marriage); to offer (mediation); to make an overture (of peace); to challenge
judgement; judgment; refereeing; umpiring; referee; umpire
gallery; corridor; art gallery; upper gallery (in a theatre); spectators (esp. at a golf tournament)
to be weary; to be worn out; to be fed up (with); to be sick of; to be dejected; to be dispirited
immediate reply; quick answer; ready agreement
unable to contain oneself; itching to do something; cannot sit still
mishearing; (feigned) deafness; homophonic translation of song lyrics for comic effect
hurray; hooray; go!; you can do it!
noisy; loud; much talked of; much-discussed; strict; severe
groundwork; foundation; inclination; aptitude; undercoat; first coat
betterment; improvement; kaizen (Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement)
considerably; greatly; a lot
being accomplished in both the literary and military arts; doing well in both school and sports
to do for real; to do in real life; to carry (a story) into actual practice
at a disadvantage; in an unfavourable position; having poor prospects; standing little chance
ill-natured; mean; mischievous; nasty; unkind; teasing
secret plan; secret scheme; secret stratagem; secret method
keep ...-ing; have been ...-ing; leaving (something) on; leaving (something) still in use
to take one's place; to take one's position; to go into position; to line up
Zhou dynasty (China, approx. 1046-256 BCE); Chou dynasty; perimeter; counter for laps or circuits