poor boy—(U.S.) a large sandwich filled with a range of ingredients: Exploring Greenwich Village, I found Poor Boys, salami and cheese and chili peppers on great hunks of Italian bread. Cf.: poor girl—said of a smaller “poor boy”: The Briazz chain of lunch restaurants calls its entry the poor girl and packs it with salami, […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Pony up for something and Pony up something
pony up for something—(U.S. coll.) make a request for smth.: Actually, I’m reading the e-book, but I already know I will pony up for the print version as well. pony up something—(U.S. coll.) repay the money one owes: Tell him to defer enrollment for a year. Otherwise, he’s got to pony up the whole amount […]
Difference between Point of no return and Turning point
point of no return—the point beyond which one must continue on his current course of action, because turning back would be too expensive or dangerous: We have finally reached the point of no return where the drums for peace are now louder than the drums for war. turning point—a decisive moment at which a very […]
Difference between Point at something and Point to something
point at something—show smth. by holding out one’s finger, etc.: All the boys went down to the beach and pointed at the great ship anchored there. point to something— 1. indicate the position or direction of smth.: The needle of a compass points to the north. 2. = point at something: Pembeh touched him on […]
Difference between Plug at something and Plug away at something
plug at something—(U.S. coll.) shoot at smth.: You can practice with your gun by plugging at the tree. plug away at something—(coll.) work hard and steadily at smth.: If I plug away at painting the room, I may get it finished tonight.
Difference between Plead for someone and Plead with someone
plead for someone— 1. (legal) address a court of law as an advocate on behalf of either the plaintiff or the defendant: Nawaz had boycotted the game of court proceedings and now he does not have even a lawyer to plead for him. 2. make an earnest appeal or entreaty for the person in whose interest […]
Difference between Play the gallery and Play to the gallery
play the gallery—act the part of spectators (applauding, etc.): We were constantly called in to play the gallery to his witty remarks. play to the gallery—set out to win popularity in a cheap and showy way: The attorney seemed less concerned with the furtherance of justice than with playing to the gallery of reporters. Cf.: […]
Difference between Play someone at his own game and Play someone’s game
play someone at his own game—return smb.’s hostile or unfair action with the like: Men used to come in the office and I never used to get introduced. So I’ve started playing them at their own game. play someone’s game— 1. advance a person’s plans or schemes, whether willingly or unintentionally: If I want him […]
Difference between Play of words and Play on words
play of words—the use of words merely for the purpose of producing an oratorical effect: The speeches of Thucydides exhibit the antithesis, the climaxes, the plays of words of the rhetorician. play on words—a playful use of words to produce a humorous effect by similarity of sound: When closely analyzed, many jokes depend for their […]
Difference between Play it low down and Play it low-key
play it low down—behave meanly or unfairly towards a person: If it weren’t playing it low down on the fellows that have been in it from the start, I’d like to enlist. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase play it low— 1. (of music) play at a low volume: […]
Difference between Play hard to get and Play hardball
play hard to get—pretend to be unapproachable or uninterested, with a view to strengthening one’s position: To be blunt, you sort of strike me as playing hard to get. play hardball—use uncompromising tactics: The insurance company played hardball with desperate homeowners, relying on questionable experts, and falsified reports.
Difference between Play gooseberry and Play old gooseberry
play gooseberry—be the third person present with two lovers; act as an escort: Let the old woman choose between playing gooseberry or loitering behind alone. play old gooseberry—(UK dated) cause damage or devastation to smth.: She would play old gooseberry with the property if we hadn’t someone to look after it.