safety zone; traffic island
to keep (e.g. the lead); to maintain (a standard, situation, etc.); to put aside (for someone); to save (e.g. a seat); to keep (the ball; in soccer, rugby, etc.); to retain possession
massed calisthenics; massed gymnastics
to float; to save (on one's expenses); to scrimp; to half-rise, e.g. to one's feet
soft skin (esp. of a woman)
ball; sphere; bead (of sweat, dew, etc.); drop; ball (in sports); pitch (e.g. in baseball); pile (of noodles, etc.)
to crawl out; to creep out; to begin to crawl
gaining time; stalling for time; time-buying
change; alternation; rotation; replacement; substitution; shift
to make someone lose face; to embarrass someone; to make someone look foolish
desertion in the face of the enemy; deserting under enemy fire
going up in flames; destruction by fire (esp. of a large building); stirring up a storm of criticism online (of an article, tweet, statement, etc.); becoming the target of an Internet pitchfork mob
upper; upward; upper (of a shoe); uppercut; upper (drug); stimulant
to topple over; to be overturned; to capsize; to be overruled; to be reversed; to be discredited
to do whatever it takes; to use every trick in the book; to use any means; to stop at nothing
mercy; compassion; clemency; rufous hawk-cuckoo; northern hawk-cuckoo
safety; welfare; well-being
fantastic; magical; wondrous; whimsical; fairytale-like; romantic
to pay back a debt; to have one's revenge; to settle a score; to get back at someone
diligent study; devoting oneself to one's studies
model; (good) example; exemplar; paragon
confused fight; free-for-all; melee; close contest; close match
smallest (in size, degree, etc.); least; minimum; minimal
(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)
payment; bill; sweeping; clearing away; sweeping stroke (e.g. when writing kanji)
martial arts demonstration; martial arts training
victory or defeat; victory and defeat
unfortunately; sorry, but ...
to wish (for); to pray (for); to hope (for); to pray silently; to recite (Buddha's name, sutras, etc.) in one's mind; to chant (a silent prayer)
empty; hollow; bare; main hall of a temple (often vast and empty)
bizarre plan; perplexing strategy; outlandish scheme
to hit each other; to exchange blows; to fight
defensive body movement (judo, kendo, etc.)
to shorten; to cut short; to trim; to cut down on; to reduce; to scrimp on