(followed by an infinitive) to the point of, so much so that

(transitive) to pip to the post (to overcome at the last minute, to overtake at the decisive moment, to beat to the punch at the very end)

arguing that, on the grounds that, on the pretext that

(driving, vulgar) to tailgate [+ de (someone)] / (vulgar) to follow (someone) everywhere, to breathe down someone's neck, to stay close to (someone) all the time, to stick to (someone) like glue, like a leech, to dog (someone's) footsteps [+ de (someone)]

(transitive, figuratively) to pin down (a person); to ground (an aircraft)

(figuratively) to enter the fray, to step up to the plate

(transitive) to take someone literally, to take someone at their word

lump in one's throat, pang of emotion

during; throughout

(informal, figuratively) to get one's kicks, to get one's rocks off, to reach seventh heaven (to get a lot of sexual pleasure)