real life—the life lived by actual people, as distinct from fiction, etc.: A deliberate documentary film must be a transcript of real life, a bit of what actually happened. real live —(attrib., usually joc.) said of a person or thing actually existing (not pretended or simulated): Rosemary had taken a great deal of trouble to […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Ready at something and Ready with something
ready at something—proficient in a subject: The learned gentleman here began to discover that he was not quite so ready at arithmetic … and stopped short in his calculations. ready with something—prompt with smth. such as an answer, help, etc.: You must be ready with an explanation of why you need the money and what […]
Difference between Read my lips and Read someone’s lips
read my lips —(may sound slightly impolite) listen closely to what I am saying: Let me repeat myself this once, and Zepp, be sure to read my lips as I do so. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase read me— 1. (in radio communication) hear my voice; hear my message: […]
Difference between React on something and React to something
react on something— 1. have an effect on smth.: Heat reacts on certain substances to change their chemical composition. 2. act in response to smth.: How will people react on this information in Russia and China? And in other countries? react to something— = react on something 2: Observe carefully how the bacteria will react […]
Difference between Reach the bottom of something and Reach to the bottom of something
reach the bottom of something—(also: get to the bottom of something ) get to the lowest point of smth.: We were glad to reach the bottom of the mountain. reach to the bottom of something—extend to the lowest point of smth.: That rope reaches to the bottom of the tower. You grab hold and attempt […]
Difference between Reach out after someone and Reach out to someone
reach out after someone—extend one’s hand in an effort to grasp a person: Don reached out after Doris, but she slipped away before he could get a good hold on her. reach out to someone— 1. offer help or support to a person: You reached out to me just when I needed help the most. […]
Difference between Reach for the moon and Reach for the sky
reach for the moon—(also: reach for the stars) have a high ambition or purpose; try to do smth. impossible: Our learning experience was rich and fulfilling and enabled each one of us to reach for the moon in our own way. reach for the sky— 1. = reach for the moon: Thompson was the kind […]
Difference between Reach first base and Touch base
reach first base—(also: get to first base) get to the initial stage in accomplishing smth.: Negotiations had not even reached first base because the Government was continually using delaying tactics. touch base—(coll.) contact smb.; confer with a person (also: touch bases): Forstmann had touched base with his partners and found that they harbored a vague […]
Difference between Rat race and Rat-racing
rat race— 1. said of a situation marked by hyperactivity and stress: I began to realize that the quality of life mattered more to me than the rat race in the office. Cf.: mouse race—(a play on “rat race”) a lower-stress lifestyle that results from moving to a smaller community or taking a less demanding job: […]
Difference between Rat on someone and Rat out on someone
rat on someone—(sl.) report smb.’s wrongful activities to the police, etc.: Kent is willing to do anything to get out even rat on his fellow convicts in order to get an early parole. rat out on someone—(sl.) 1. desert or betray smb.; leave a person at a critical time: He would never rat out on […]
Difference between Range of a rifle and Rifle range
range of a rifle—the maximum distance to which a rifle can fire bullets: It’s a powerful weapon but the range of this rifle is very limited. rifle range— 1. a place where one can practice shooting with a rifle: There was a rifle range nearby and Major Frimley taught rifle shooting to the girls. 2. […]
Difference between Rake over old coals and Rake someone over the coals
rake over old coals—(UK) try to bring back old problems that may cause trouble: What’s the point of raking over old coals? Opening every wound we thought was properly healed. rake someone over the coals—(U.S.) criticize or scold a person severely: He was raked over the coals for allowing the club to become the laughing […]