beat about the bush(knotty)

soft knife (a way of harming people imperceptibly)

a weak-kneed person(a spineless person)

army life(war experience)

act after the same fashion(do something according to a set pattern)

Chaos and chaos

I give up what others desire.

supple twigs and tender leaves

lose one's bearing(lose oneself in the clouds)

Soft and weak

have a rude awakening(awake as if from a dream)

Men and horses were pretty well done.(The men and horses are both weary.)

as ferocious as wolves and tigers(like cruel beasts of prey)

in a plaintive voice

achieve mastery through a comprehensive study of the subject

follow what others have said

feel a sense of relief

look utterly wretched

extreme urgency

hold back one's anger and say nothing