be on the fiddle —(sl.) be involved in illicit money-making activities: As it was day-time, everyone in the coffee bar was on the dole or on the fiddle. fiddle about—(coll.) mess about or waste time: I’ve been fiddling about for ages trying to get the windscreen washers to work properly.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be on pins and needles and Have pins and needles
be on pins and needles —(coll.) be in the state of agitated expectancy: We had been on pins and needles all day long until we received her telegram. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be on one’s pins—(coll.) be on one’s feet; be in good health: When I came […]
Difference between Be on overtime and Be over one’s time
be on overtime—work after the usual working hours: The men stayed locked up for two hours until their boss agreed they would repair the faulty central heating immediately—on overtime. be over one’s time—(of a woman) be late in menstruating (the usual implication being that of unwanted pregnancy): “A fine father and mentor you are. Don’t […]
Difference between Be on one’s own ground and Stand on one’s native soil
be on one’s own ground—(also: be on home ground) 1. be in the area where one works or lives (with the implication that it makes a person feel confident and secure): Whenever possible he liked to make a point of talking to drug users on their own ground. 2. be competent in a subject because […]
Difference between Be on one’s last legs and Be the last leg
be on one’s last legs—be at the end of one’s resources and failing fast: At this point I was on my last legs … I would have loved nothing more than to have stopped for a rest. Cf.: need new legs —(also: need fresh legs) 1. be in need of rest: I think I need […]
Difference between Be on home ground and Play away from home
be on home ground—(also: be on one’s own ground) 1. be in the area where one works or lives (with the implication that it makes a person feel confident and secure): I was sad to see Argentina lose on penalties. They were doing pretty well considering the Germans were on home ground. 2. be competent […]
Difference between Be on all fours and Hit on all four
be on all fours— 1. crawl on one’s hands and knees: Claud slipped through the hedge on all fours and I followed. 2. (coll.) correspond or harmonize with smth.: The railways maintain that conditions in Great Britain and America are not on all fours. hit on all four —(coll.) work most efficiently (also: hit on […]
Difference between Be on a high and Be on a high horse
be on a high —(coll.) have a feeling of great excitement and happiness: The team are definitely on a high at the moment so we will go to Bahrain feeling very optimistic. be on a high horse—be very dignified and formal: Every single person I spoke to was on a high horse and treated me […]
Difference between Be off one’s nut and Get one’s nuts off
be off one’s nut—(sl.) be out of one’s mind; be insane: But is the master off his nut that he has her down here to stay? get one’s nuts off—(coarse sl.) obtain sexual release: Screwin’ my white friend’s black wife makes me feel even better. Makes me get my nuts off.
Difference between Be off one’s nana and Lose one’s nana
be off one’s nana—(Austral. sl.) be mentally deranged: We’ve learned to laugh at our predicament. If we hadn’t we’d all be off our nanas. lose one’s nana—(Austral. sl.) lose one’s temper: Lost my nana with a couple of customers tonight and wish I hadn’t.
Difference between Be off one’s legs and Be run off one’s legs
be off one’s legs—be resting: She didn’t know how long she could manage it, but for the time being at least she was off her legs. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase be on one’s legs—(also: be on one’s feet) 1. be standing up while working: His sciatica bothers him […]
Difference between Be of one mind and Be single-minded
be of one mind—(of two or more people) be in complete agreement; think alike: Upon sober reflection, I cannot say that I am of one mind with the pastor. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase be in two minds—(also: be in twenty minds) feel doubtful or hesitate about smth.: I […]