very close in progress, as in a race or contest

The predecessor of the castle, having a raised earth mound (the motte) topped with a tower (or donjon), and a wooden ring fortification surrounding a courtyard (the bailey).

A deceptive, fraudulent, or unconvincing explanation or description.

(idiomatic, US, informal) Barring unforeseen circumstances.

From one place to another and back again.

The movement (of someone or something) forward followed by a return to the same position. May refer to a concept such as an emotional state or a relationship as well as a physical thing.

Alternative form of Mason-Dixon Line

(especially UK) Alternative form of carrot and stick

(weightlifting) The act of lifting the barbell from the floor to a resting position across the front of the shoulders (the clean phase), pausing, and thrusting the barbell over the head to a stationary position in one movement (the jerk phase). The normal technique for both parts of this act involves propelling the barbell upwards, quickly lowering the torso, and then straightening the legs.

(uncountable, film) The method or practice of adjusting widescreen film images, especially 2.35:1 or 2.39:1 aspect ratio, so that they can be shown within the proportions of a 1.33:1 or 1.78:1 aspect ratio television screen, by cropping off sides of the original widescreen image, as opposed to letterboxing.