to say in other words; to put another way; to express in different words; to reword; to rephrase
temporary; ad hoc; makeshift; stopgap
candidacy; standing as a candidate; bidding (to host an event, e.g. the Olympics)
hard worker; hardworking person
to stare back at; to look back at
firmly (grasped); latched onto; locked onto
fork; junction; parting of the ways; turning point
to spend; to expend; to waste; to squander; to devote
to give an answer; to find an answer to a question; to work out a solution
about this time; about now
to render futile; to bring to naught; to waste; to not make good use of
to go up the stairs; to climb the stairs
cushion; cushion (to soften the blow); mitigation
to work too hard; to try too hard; to strain oneself; to overdo it; to go too far
one's whole life; one's lifetime
day after day; day by day
such a thing; something like that
to chase; to run after; to pursue
(practical) experience; personal experience; hands-on experience; first-hand experience
benefactor; patron; person to whom one owes a great deal; person to whom one is (deeply) indebted
being stuck between a rock and a hard place; being in a dilemma; being torn between conflicting demands
unsteadily (e.g. on one's feet); shakily; wavering (in one's mind); unsteadily; aimlessly; unconsciously
supporter; adherent; proponent; backer
union; unity; bundling; binding; (arch.) putting on (clothes, armour, etc.)
unaffiliated voters; floating voters; swinging voters
to (hit and) crush; to smash; to squash; to defeat soundly; to crush (an opponent, hopes, etc.)
to catch one's attention; to catch one's ear; to be annoying to one's ear
charm; incantation; spell; code that is not (yet) necessary to understand; required boilerplate code
to steal; to rob; to deceive; to trick; to graze (in passing); to skim; to appear and quickly disappear (a thought, a smile, etc.)
battlefield; battleground
first class; first rank; one degree; one level; most; best
test (of ability, knowledge, etc.); exam; test (of performance, quality, etc.); trial; rehearsal
childish; childlike; immature; infantile; puerile
stuffed toy; stuffed animal; plush toy; soft toy; cuddly toy
bitter smile; wry smile; forced smile; strained laugh
amiability; friendliness; fondness (of someone); affection; compliments; civilities
attaching the polite suffix "-san" to someone's name
feeling good; feeling at ease; feeling easy
you're welcome; don't mention it; not at all; my pleasure
(unfolded) thin sheet of paper; 200-character writing paper; paper money; note