If you apply something liberally, you put a lot of it on (like sunscreen, or makeup, or salt on food). If you’re being conservative with something, you’re using it sparingly — you’re conserving it.

Politically speaking, a very liberal person is usually pro-choice, anti-war, concerned about civil liberties, is for gun control, is against the death penalty, etc.

A very conservative person is usually anti-abortion, supports a strong military, supports prayer in schools, against gun control, supports the death penalty, etc.

Of course, these are generalizations. People fall all along the spectrum in their politics, from the far left (strongly liberal) to the far right (strongly conservative). Some people are considered “middle of the road,” which means they might have some liberal tendencies along with some conservative characteristics.

Hope that helps!