真剣勝負

しんけんしょうぶ

fighting with real swords, game played in real earnest

真っ向

まっこう

directly opposite, right in front

勝負

しょうぶ

victory or defeat, match, contest, game, bout

真っ向法

まっこうほう

makko-ho (set of four exercises for general health)

勝負運

しょうぶうん

luck in competitions; luck in gambling

勝負事

しょうぶごと

gambling, competition, game (of chance)

勝負服

しょうぶふく

jockey's racing uniform

勝負師

しょうぶし

gambler

勝負パンツ

しょうぶパンツ

"lucky" underwear (esp. panties), set aside for special dates

勝負俵

しょうぶだわら

bales forming the edge of the ring

大勝負

おおしょうぶ

do-or-die game, crucial contest

ガチンコ勝負

ガチンコしょうぶ

head-on fight; head-to-head contest; serious contest

名勝負

めいしょうぶ

excellent match; unforgettable match; great contest; enthralling game

勝負所

しょうぶどころ

decisive moment, turning point, critical moment, win-or-bust situation

勝負飯

しょうぶめし

good-luck meal (eaten before a competition, etc.)

真っ向から

まっこうから

right in front of, head-on, downright

真向き

まむき

earnest, singlehanded, face to face, straight ahead, just in front of

相撲に勝って勝負に負ける

すもうにかってしょうぶにまける

to ultimately fail despite being in a favourable position; to fail at the last moment; to win the battle but lose the war; to have the upper hand in sumo (technique) but lose the match

勝ち負け

かちまけ

victory or defeat