Alternative spelling of palace politics

(idiomatic) The relationships and interactions of top-level officials, advisors and other powerbrokers within a government, especially as involving internal rivalry and intrigue.

(vulgar, idiomatic) Something inherently bad cannot be improved.

(US politics, chiefly historical) A local political organization or individual politician that controls a large number of personal votes and can therefore exert political influence, and is therefore often viewed as scandalous.

Excessively polite.

To polish something to make it shiny. / (figuratively) To hone (one's skills).

(law enforcement) Police force.

(law enforcement) Police force, especially a local or regional branch of a national police force.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see police, beat.

(idiomatic) A social scenario in which all participants are aware of a truth, but pretend to believe in some alternative version of events to avoid conflict or embarrassment.