magnification; leverage; amplification; competitiveness rating (e.g. for university entrance); applicant-to-acceptance ratio
probability; likelihood; chances
to wager; to bet; to risk; to stake; to gamble
reward; compensation; collateral; security; turning to look behind
chattering (teeth); (frozen, worried) stiff; rigid (personality, thinking, etc.); inflexible; voracious (e.g. work, study); without slack or pause
maniac (as in rabid sport fan); enthusiast
severe earthquake; violent tremor
formation; molding; making (up); repair (e.g. with plastic surgery); replacement; -plasty
to give the stamp of approval
real feeling; actual feeling; to actually feel; to have a real feeling (that ...); to experience personally
to take responsibility (for a fallout); to accept the blame; to take the blame
extent; scope; sphere; range; span
to fall (on); to rain down; to shower down; to befall; to happen (to)
wildly different (in ability, strength, etc.); on another level; in a different league; of different heights; uneven
criticism; judgement; judgment; comment
to lose heart; to lose motivation
to shoot through (a wall, the heart, etc.); to go through; to pierce; to hit (e.g. the bull's-eye)
look (in someone's eyes); expression (of the eyes); eyes
to thrust at someone (e.g. a weapon); to point (a gun, knife, etc.) at; to hold up threateningly to (someone's face); to present forcefully (demand, document, etc.); to confront someone with (evidence, facts, etc.); to force upon
whether one wants to or not; without choice
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
novice; beginner; starting to run; running off; running away
condition; assumption; intention; intent; premise
commerce; trade; business
strong spirit; mettle; backbone; guts; fighting spirit
have to (verb); must (verb); is indispensable; absolutely necessary
person in charge (including a supervisory role for other staff); person responsible for ...; responsible party; supervisor; manager
habit (usu. a bad one); tendency; peculiarity; idiosyncrasy; crease; wrinkle
customer; client; client company; business connection; trade partner
to wind (thread, film, etc.)
to abandon; to throw away; to discard; to forsake
whip; lash; stick; cane; encouragement; rebuke
supple; flexible; elastic; graceful; elegant; refined
Sparta (ancient Greek city-state); hard education; hard training; strict; severe
absurd; unreasonable; extreme; senseless; disorderly; chaotic
solitude; loneliness; isolation
(event) planner; (event, meeting) organizer; producer
three-legged race; cooperation with singleness of purpose (e.g. between companies); operating in tandem
to give an answer; to find an answer to a question; to work out a solution
to interrupt; to obstruct (a view, someone's way, etc.); to block (light, wind, etc.); to intercept; to cut off
refreshing (e.g. feeling, scene, wind, morning air); brisk; bracing; fresh; refreshed
first and final offer in labor-management negotiations
poor-quality; shoddy; unskillful; inexpert; unlucky