no wonder; little wonder; after all; as expected; which isn't surprising
optional; voluntary; arbitrary; arbitrary
fierce battle; hard-fought battle; hot contest; severe fight
(school) recital; school concert; class presentation; presentation (for a new product, etc.); announcement event; launch event
aggregate results; totalled results; collected results
every year; yearly; annually
vote; ballot; label; ticket; tag
up and down; lightly; nimbly; casually; (strolling about) without a care
to gain a reliable foundation and be in a safe condition; to rest easy; (lit.) to board a large ship
beating (of the heart, with joy, excitement, etc.); palpitation; throbbing; pounding; fluttering
free-for-all; open-to-all; optional (to participate in); non-compulsory
(official) commendation; public recognition (of someone's achievements, good deeds, etc.); awarding; honouring
certificate of merit; testimonial
over-optimistic calculation; counting one's chickens before they're hatched
to win; to gain; to earn; to spread (one's name, etc.)
to leave to chance; to resign oneself to one's fate; to leave the rest to heaven
this and that; one thing or another
to leave as is; to let alone; to disregard
grabbing hold; eagle grip; tight hold
to become quiet; to quiet down; to quieten down; to calm down; to die down; to subside
to shut oneself in (e.g. one's room); to be confined in; to fill with (emotion, enthusiasm, power, etc.); to imbue with; to fill a space (of a gas, smell, etc.); to be heavy with (e.g. smoke); to be muffled (e.g. of a voice)
number of votes obtained (polled)
set of three; three sets; three classes
belonging to (a group, organization, etc.); affiliation (with); being attached to; being under the control of; serving (in the military, congress, etc.)
encouragement; incentive; stimulus
to give a round of applause; to applaud
because; as; since; so; due to
bright; cheerful; in high spirits; clear (sky); cloudless; sunny
demonstrative of one's worth; worthy of one's reputation; living up to one's name; bolstering one's reputation; enhancing one's prestige; winning one honour
best; most (valuable player); top (quality); grade A; ace; finest
to hold one's breath (in fear, anxiety, etc.)
visitor; attendee; spectator; guest; audience
support; backing; endorsement; propping up; holding up; support
to boil strongly; to be excited
to gaze (at); to stare intently (at); to look fixedly (at); to fascinate; to enchant; to possess
performance (at a party or banquet, etc.); side show; entertainment
natural accompaniment; inseparable pair; inevitable aspect (of something); part and parcel; supplementary printed insert (in a book or magazine); appendix
to serve out one's apprenticeship; to serve out one's time
strict; formal; strait-laced; stuffy; prudish; serious
to take pride in; to pride oneself; to be proud of
attachment (esp. to things); love; affection; fondness
festive mood; holiday mood; festive atmosphere
grave; solemn; serious; harsh (e.g. truth); hard; strict