make a useless attempt

neither to argue back nor flatter

keep on fighting in spite of all setbacks

pass over in silence(be indifferent; shut one's eyes to)

general of a defeated army(general without an army)

base and shameless

lock oneself in

too many to be counted(innumerable)

have no sense of propriety(not know when to stop)

The slow need to start early.

get one's rag out(stamp with fury; as mad as a wet hen; fly into a passion (rage,tantrum))

cut the buck

switch to a job one was not trained for

neither this species nor that class

not permitted to explain

an altogther different world

have neither learning nor skill

be far from the mark(be unable to grasp the essence; not to the point)

have an axe to grind

be further intensified(become aggravated)