to show one's age (e.g. to start creaking at the joints); to wear out (e.g. machinery)
having said that; on the other hand
wicked person; evil person; scoundrel; bad thing; mischief
shortcut; short-cut hairstyle for women
to weave together; to interweave; to intermingle
firm; strong; unbending; unyielding; uncompromising; stubborn
going ahead; going first; preceding; coming before; scoring first; getting off to a lead
logistical support; combat service support
here and there; in twos and threes; sporadically; now and then; from time to time; occasionally
to be full; to wax (e.g. moon); to rise (e.g. tide); to mature; to expire
consequence; outcome; result; blame
not budging an inch; to stand one's ground
(not) ever; (not) by any means; (not) in the least; (not) in any way; (not) at all
on the contrary; far from it; if anything; in fact; instead
to make good use of; to use to one's advantage
rivalry (between two equally strong sides); struggle for supremacy; competing (with); vying (with); contending (with); being an equal match (for)
superiority; superior power; predominance; preponderance
to keep; to preserve; to hold; to last; to endure; to keep well (food)
sword; dagger; knife; bayonet
man (esp. one who is well-respected); samurai; person (in a certain profession, esp. licensed); member
ability; competency; talent; skill; capacity
to surpass the rest (e.g. of a large group); to stand out from the crowd; to be the best by far
skillful; skilful; delicious; appetizing; fortunate; splendid
-like; -looking; -looked; tending to ...
willingness (e.g. to do something); eagerness; motivation; inspiration; determination; high aspirations
to chip (off); to shave (off); to slice (off); to dampen (e.g. enthusiasm); to discourage; to weaken
wasteful; a waste; too good; more than one deserves; impious; profane
fresh troops; fresh players; newcomer; new employee; new method; new way
eyeball; special feature; centerpiece; special program; loss leader; sunny-side up fried egg
hands and feet; limbs; person at one's beck and call; person at hand; reliable worker
weird; ominous; eerie; uncanny; ghastly
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still
to wear (sword, decoration, etc.); to carry; to be entrusted (e.g. with a mission); to take on; to have a trace of; to be tinged with
immediately; right away; on the spot
(place of) refuge; escape; exit; way out; shelter; hiding place
few; a little; scarce; insufficient; seldom
very likely; very probable
cutting through cloth; sound of cutting through cloth; shrieking sound; woman's scream; cry of the lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus)
(fighting) spirit; motivation; shout (for getting in the right mood to deal with something, etc.); cheer; kiai; short shout when performing an attacking move
a long time ago; in those days