Learn English – the meaning of “in literal terms”

Okay, this one's just weird. I did a little Googling (while, Binging really, but whatever) and "Quills & Sofas" is apparently a reference to the children's TV program "My Little Pony", it looks like that's the name of a store that sells, well, quill pens and sofas. I limited my research because I'm at work and searches for My Little Pony stuff seem to turn up sites by creepy old men with little-girl fetishes, so if anyone who actually knows wants to correct or clarify what I say about the reference, feel free. Anyway, the idea appears to be that these are two things that have nothing to do with each other and are thrown together for no apparent reason. In the context of the post you cite, people are criticizing some sort of research proposal about "Insects and Reptiles" on the grounds that the proposer is throwing together two unrelated things without making any link between them.

It is used when you gradually make progress in some field and reach your goals. It is also indirectly implying the hardships that one has to face in order to reach the goal, and restating that there isn't a 'short-cut'.

For example

He started out as a secretary, but worked his way up and eventually became a manager.

Or

In spite of having started his career as a bus conductor, Rajnikanth has worked his way up to become one of the biggest stars in the film industry.

Often it is also used in conjunction with 'ladder'

I'll have to work my way up the corporate ladder.