"Tick When I Should Tock? " What does it mean?

How to understand "take on some powerful interests"? Sentence: "And over the last two years, that has meant taking on some powerful interests who had been dominating the agenda in Washington for far too long. " What does "take on" mean here.

How to understand "vest in" ? How to understand "vest in" here, "We did it by recognizing that we rise or we fall together as one nation – one people – all of us vested in one another. " Thanks.

what does "borrow against" mean? Example: often borrow against inflated home values to pay their bills. Does it mean mortgage the house to borrow money? Thanks.

what does “We are on the clock” mean?

"That figures." What does this phrase mean? Example: Edie: "Well, doesn't that figure. Susan always finds a way to make it about her." Is it similar to "in expectation"?

what does "You don't say." mean? Its meaning more close to "Really" or "No wonder" or evern both...?

"hard shots" ? And long befofe the recession hit, the middle class had been taking some hard shots. I mean what does "hard shots" mean here. (The question has word limit.)

First notebook entry: Introducing myself Office worker, lover Japan Manga, learn English is for work and TV series. ~