a little bit; a little while
equal match; good match; fair match; equal in ability; being a worthy rival
as usual; as always; as before; as ever; still
terrible; dreadful; amazing (e.g. of strength); great (e.g. of skills); to a great extent; vast (in numbers)
for the first time; only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; first time; (one's) first
vacantly; blankly; openmouthed; with one's mouth wide-open; with a whack; with a thump
that's true; of course; obviously
this world; this life; world of the living
to rush over; to run up to
to plunder; to grab; to snatch
glittering; sparkling; glistening; twinkling
book; document; calligraphy (esp. Chinese); penmanship; handwriting; letter
master; teacher; stable master
to have a taste for; to be fond of; to enjoy (in moderation); to be modest; to be prudent; to watch (e.g. one's behaviour)
to long for; to yearn after; to admire; to be attracted by
weathering; fading (of memories); efflorescence
to shorten the distance (between); to close the gap (e.g. on the leader); to get closer (e.g. to someone); to close in (on)
to match (rhythm, speed, etc.); to join together; to unite; to face; to be opposite (someone); to compare; to check with
thanks to ...; owing to ...; because of ...
to build up; to establish (one's reputation)
getting (something); obtaining; scoring (goal, point, etc.)
suddenly; unexpectedly; by chance; accidentally; lightly; nimbly
I'm told; is what I heard; is how it is, apparently; is what they said
three (long cylindrical things); three-of-a-kind (in a dealt hand)
luxury; extravagance; to live in luxury; to indulge oneself; lavish (use of something); abundant
one's house; one's home; one's family
close adhesion; sticking firmly to; relating closely to; having relevance to; contact printing
creaking; squeaking; packing in tightly; cramming; hard (pressing, tying, twisting, etc.); tightly
elbowroom; leeway; room; reserve; margin; allowance
above anything else; above all; more than anything; best; greatest; excellent
decoy (for hunting); stool; lure; decoy; stool pigeon
assistance; help; aid; support; reinforcement
I'm afraid to say; I'm sorry to say; unfortunately
fellow women; between women; among women; woman-to-woman
on good terms with; on cordial terms with; getting along well with; to make friends with; to be good friends with; to get along with
fellow men; between men; among men; man-to-man
that way; that direction; that (one); that person; there; over there