proceed to something—move on to the next stage in smth.: Sixty votes were required to stop debate and proceed to a vote on the nomination for Pryor. proceed with something—continue with the chosen activity: The government will proceed with the talks and the outcome will be presented to the committee.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Pro and con and Pros and cons
pro and con—for and against (used as an adjective or adverb): In these hot political times, the pro and con facts should be presented and the people should voice their opinions. pros and cons —(used as a noun) the arguments in favor and in opposition: He would weigh the pros and cons of an issue, […]
Difference between Private school (UK) and Private school (U.S.)
private school (UK)—independent school that is funded wholly by the payment of fees: I was a teacher in one of those private schools, which was basically a very expensive crammer for the sons of oil sheiks. private school (U.S.)—independent school supported in part by the public (state) funds: Douglas was sent to a swanky private […]
Difference between Private eye and Public eye
private eye—(coll.) a private detective working for a fee: The cops don’t like private eyes much. Cf.: private eyeful —(coll.) a pretty girl or woman employed by a detective agency: Both in quality and quantity … this San Francisco private eyeful exceeded her sister sleuths. public eye— 1. public attention or notice: It was a […]
Difference between the Privacy Act and the Privacy Protection Act
Privacy Act, the—(U.S.) the 1974 statute that forbids government to disclose information about individuals and gives individuals the right to see, make copies of, and correct inaccuracies in their files: Under a 1984 amendment to the Privacy Act, agencies may not rely on exemptions in the Privacy Act to withhold information that would otherwise be […]
Difference between Primate of All England and Primate of England
Primate of All England—the Archbishop of Canterbury: In England both the archbishops are primates, the archbishop of Canterbury being entitled “primate of all England.” Primate of England—the Archbishop of York: The parish clerk was duly authorized by the Primate of England to monotone the Psalms at Matins and Evensong.
Difference between Prevail on someone and Prevail over someone
prevail on someone —(also: prevail with someone) persuade a person (to do smth.): She had turned a deaf ear to the persuasions by which they sought to prevail on her. prevail over someone —(liter.) gain victory or achieve superiority over a person (also: prevail against someone): The heroes of these films inevitably prevail over their […]
Difference between Pretend something and Pretend to something
pretend something—put forward a false claim as a reason or excuse for smth.: The tobacco industry had known for some time about the harm caused by tobacco products, yet it pretended ignorance. pretend to something—put forward a claim to smth.: One of the most destructive institutions in our society is the one that pretends to […]
Difference between Presume on something and Presume something
presume on something—take undue advantage of smth.; go beyond the proper limits: Most of these publishers are happy to send out a free sample; however don’t presume on their generosity. presume something—suppose that smth. is reasonable or possible: If we shouldn’t presume his guilt before the facts come out, then we shouldn’t presume his innocence, […]
Difference between Press someone’s buttons and Press the panic button
press someone’s buttons —(also: push someone’s buttons) draw a strong emotional reaction, especially anger, from a person: It is very difficult to press his buttons because he is careful not to let his emotions control him. press the panic button—(also: push the panic button) overreact to a stressful situation: I fail to understand as to […]
Difference between Press mark and Press-mark
press mark—a mark left on fabric by the impress of an iron: If press marks appear on the right side of the garment, hold the fabric in the steam of a kettle to remove them. press-mark—a mark stamped on a (library) book: Seymour de Ricci shows how much can be learned from the study of […]
Difference between Press agency and Press agentry
press agency—(also: news agency) an organization that provides news coverage to newspapers, etc.: According to a report issued by Reuters press agency, about 600 people have been evacuated after Mount Egon on Flores island started to erupt. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase press agent—a person employed to arrange favorable […]