Adopt, embrace and espouse mean in common to make one’s own what in some fashion one owes to another.
Difference between On the book and On the books
on the book— 1. (coll.) on credit: He let me have a couple of bottles on the book. 2. (Theater) on duty as prompter: There is no longer such a job as “prompter.” It is, however, normal practice for there to be a member of the stage-management team “on the book.” on the books— 1. […]
Difference between On the block and On the blocks
on the block—(coll.) 1. offered for sale (at an auction): The Seattle radio station has been on the block for a year with no offers to buy it. 2. at risk; in serious and threatening situation: Her reputation is on the block now, and it’s nobody’s fault but hers. Cf.: put one’s head on the […]
Difference between On the bandwagon and On the wagon
on the bandwagon—participating in what seems likely to be a successful enterprise (supporting a particular candidate, movement, etc. in the hope of a personal gain): Everyone is on the bandwagon it seems, whether through action or just rhetorical agreement. on the wagon—(coll.) abstaining from alcohol: Vince had a weakness: he was an alcoholic. For ten […]
Difference between On the back of a postcard and On the back of an envelope
on the back of a postcard—(in the phrase “fit on the back of a postcard”) said of the insignificant amount of one’s knowledge, information, etc.: The phrase “fit on the back of a postcard” comes to mind but a postcard would probably be too large to list out all that I know about art. Cf.: […]
Difference between On the back bench and On the bench
on the back bench— 1. (UK) said of members of Parliament who, because they do not hold office, are not entitled to a front-bench seat: His sojourn on the Back Bench will be short lived and he will return to the Front Bench soon. 2. (U.S.) said of the new members of Congress considered as […]
Difference between On tape and On the tape
on tape—recorded on magnetic tape: When people spoke “live” or on tape it was often difficult to hear what they were saying. on the tape— 1. = on tape: Magnetic patterns on the tape are translated by a tape-head into electrical impulses. 2. at the very end of a race: Wheeler regained the ground he […]
Difference between On tap and On the tap
on tap— 1. (of beer, etc.) drawn from a cask: The high-density drink is Geuze (so called when it is bottled, and Lambic when it is on tap). 2. (coll.) available for immediate use: I don’t believe in investing every penny one has; I like to have a few hundred pounds on tap. 3. (coll.) […]
Difference between On someone’s good side and On someone’s side
on someone’s good side—enjoying smb.’s favor or approval: This is a great way to show people that they need to be on your good side to earn all the information they want. on someone’s side—supporting and encouraging a person in a difficult and competitive situation: When he realizes that I’m on his side, he can […]
Difference between On someone’s case and On the case
on someone’s case— 1. investigating smb.’s crime: He has been able to avoid getting caught by every other detective on his case. 2. (U.S. sl.) harassing or criticizing a person in an annoying way: “My sister was on my case about that joke all night,” he continued. on the case— 1. = on someone’s case […]