combat readiness; battle readiness; fighting trim
substantial; real (as opposed to nominal)
logistical support; combat service support
the most; the extreme; prime; conspicuous
middle guard; halfback (e.g. football); center forward (e.g. volleyball); centre forward
to fall behind; to lag behind; to lose (race, contest)
to know; to understand; to be aware of; to consent; to agree
leaving a decision to someone else (often of a meal to be selected by the chef); omakase
raid; military attack by a mobile unit; hit-and-run attack; shortstop; short
empty-handed; unarmed; lacking funds
preliminary test or trial; tryout
shame; embarrassment; disgrace
(using) one's whole body; (putting in) all one's efforts; (exerting) all one's energies
fighting back; returning fire; counter-attack; responding to an attack; accepting a challenge
turnout (of people); start (e.g. race, campaign, term of office); constant forward movement; initial charge
quick; swift; nimble; quick (understanding, judgement, etc.); alert; prompt
assistance; support; subsidy; supplement; auxiliary; subsidiary
fast; quick; early (in the day, etc.); premature; (too) soon; not yet
claws and fangs; claws and tusks; clutches; devious design; pawn; stooge
precise; accurate; appropriate; exactly the right
to drain; to flow (unobstructed); to sell well; to be in good demand; to exit the stage; to remove (a prop) from the stage
trifling with; toying with; playing with; tossing about (a ship)
reserve; spare; preparation; preliminaries
action; movements; motions; bearing; behaviour; behavior
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)
technique; art; skill; move
to take advantage of one's carelessness; to perform a surprise attack
hard or crushing blow; severe attack
to wag one's tail; to flatter; to butter up; to fawn (on)
even more; still more; further
pursuit (of a fleeing enemy); chase
gradually (progress into a state); in sequence; in order; in turn
to wound; to injure; to hurt someone's feelings (pride, etc.); to damage; to chip
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
to extol; to sing the praises of; to celebrate; to declare; to stipulate; to express
at a disadvantage; in an unfavourable position; having poor prospects; standing little chance
to open (e.g. path); to clear (the way); to break up (e.g. land)