pointed end; tip; point; forefront; vanguard; spearhead
curve; turn; curveball; curve ball; (wine) cellar
cane; walking stick; staff; wand
gem; jewel; precious stone
to fit; to get into; to be fit for (a job, etc.); to be suited for; to fall into; to plunge into
entry (on stage); appearance (on screen); entrance; introduction (into a market)
a long time (since the last time); first in a long time
in comparison to; rather than
very; extremely; terrible; horrid; remarkable; extraordinary
growth; development; growing up; growth (of a company, the economy, etc.)
good thing; nice thing; good excuse; good grounds; interjection used to impress an idea or to urge a response
marlin (fish of the Istiophoridae family); merlin (Falco columbarius); pigeon hawk
rank; place (e.g. first place); decimal place; counter for ghosts
university or college offering four-year programs; the big four ...; the four major ...
average; medium; mid-grade (item); regular grade; same level as; equal to
to be a match for; to rival; to equal; to compare with; to be equivalent to
I've heard that ...; rumour has it that ...; it appears as if ...
fleeting (glimpse, glance, etc.)
good match; suitable candidate (for marriage); good opportunity to be saved by Buddha
prudent; thoughtful; discreet
to meet the requirements; to satisfy the conditions
judgement; judgment; decision; adjudication; award; verdict
loose; lenient; lax; gentle (curve, slope, etc.); slow; weak; soft
apt to (do); liable to; predominantly; mostly; ... reaps the rewards; ... takes the prize
to make matters worse; besides; what's more; in addition; on top of that
isn't it?; let's ...; why don't we ...; how about we ...
first of all; to begin with; probably; most likely; more or less (satisfactory); on the whole
as a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth; to be honest; frankly
unveiling; debut; introduction
acquisition (esp. corporate); buy-out; takeover; bribery; buying off; corruption
new; neo-; newness; novelty; Gregorian calendar; Xin dynasty (China, 9-23 CE)
ongoing; in progress; afoot
participation in a war; going to war; taking part in a competition or contest
to ask; to inquire; to blame (someone) for; to accuse of; to care about; to regard as important
election; selection; choice
the big two...; two major...; two main...
world; society; people; the public
to garner interest; to attract attention
withdrawal (e.g. from an organization); secession; leaving; pulling out