leave something unfinished(leave the matter open; there're loose ends to tie up)

cheerless,lonely job(cold reception; waiting long for an assignment)

lean now to one side(now to the other; sway right and left; trim one's sails to the wind)

beard the lion in his den(do something daring as stroking a tiger's whiskers)

amazing(terrific;extraordinary)

dog in the water(bad people who are down)

be ultraconservative

old campaigner

drumfire(continuous firing)

soaked through

keep a way open for retreat(leave oneself a way of escape; leave a way out; leave oneself an option)

very malicious intentions

ancient history(last year's calendar; obsolete practice)

profiteer(make capital of; reap some profit)

hold back a trick or two in teaching a trade or skill

be smooth on both sides(try to please both parties)

act as a pimp(pander to)

hard-boiled and slippery person(slippery fellow)

a person who serves the people wholeheartedly

maxi-bopper