self-confidence; confidence (in oneself)
rather; better; instead; if anything
minute; fine; delicate; accurate; precise; elaborate
slowly (but steadily); gradually; bit-by-bit; slowly soaking in; slowly permeating; oozing out
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
as is; as it is; as things are; like this; this way; at this rate
to make a breakthrough; to break ground
major; large; the Major Leagues; Major League Baseball; major (key, scale, etc.); (oil) major
gap; space; break; interlude; chink (in one's armor, armour); chance
without; unacceptable; not alright; unsatisfactory
stage (theatre, theater); scene or setting (e.g. of novel, play, etc.)
to run up (a hill, stairs etc.); to dash up; to rush up