peak time— 1. (also: peak hours) periods when traffic, consumption of electricity, etc. is at its highest: The survey shows that average peak time traffic speeds have risen. 2. (Radio, TV) a period characterized by the largest audience of the day: This peak-time program will be geared for a Sunday night family audience. up time—the […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Peace dove and Peaceful dove
peace dove —(also: dove of peace) a figure of a white dove as a symbol of peace: There may be no better symbol of peace than this peace dove pendant. peaceful dove—a mainly sedentary dove (Geopelia placida) widely distributed through eucalypt forests of Australia: The Peaceful Dove has grey-brown upperparts, barred with black, pink-buff underparts.
Difference between Pay off something and Pay out something
pay off something— 1. pay money owed for smth. in full: We have paid off the house only to find that real estate taxes are so high that we cannot afford to keep the house. 2. (Nautical) take a ship out of use, for repair or at the end of her last voyage: The decision […]
Difference between Pay in kind and Repay in kind
pay in kind—pay for smth. in goods, not money: Their revenues were mostly paid, not in money, but in kind, such as corn, wine and cattle. repay in kind—(also: pay back in kind) return the hostile or unfair action with the like: He was rude to me, so I repaid him in kind.
Difference between Pay-book and Paying-in book
pay-book—an individual pay record of a member of the armed forces: Henry opened Dooley’s pay-book, the pages of which showed liberal sprinklings of the red ink with which fines and convictions were entered. paying-in book—(UK) bankbook in which the bank enters a person’s deposits and withdrawals: The purpose of these stubs in a paying-in book […]
Difference between Pay attention to someone and Pay attentions to someone
pay attention to someone—take notice of smb.; show interest in a person: Hardly anyone of the crew of six paid any attention to the man and teenage boy who had come aboard. pay attentions to someone—(also: pay one’s attentions to someone) court a woman in the hope of winning her affections: The newspapers report that […]
Difference between Pay as one goes and Pay one’s way
pay as one goes—said of the practice of paying debts as they are incurred: You pay as you go, so there is no need to commit to any monthly figure—you simply pay for what you use. pay one’s way—(also: pay one’s own way) pay all of one’s debts and living expenses: No matter how much […]
Difference between Pay a heavy price for something and Pay the penalty for something
pay a heavy price for something—suffer a serious disadvantage or loss in return for smth. one has gained: Our troops recaptured the city, but they paid a heavy price for it. pay the penalty for something—suffer a disadvantage or loss because of wrongdoing or an error: I’m paying the penalty for drinking too much last […]
Difference between Pay a compliment to someone and Pay one’s compliments to someone
pay a compliment to someone—(also: make a compliment to someone) express praise or admiration for a person in a remark: Rhonda pays a compliment to her husband, Mike, for staying as loving as he was when they first met. pay one’s compliments to someone —(also: make one’s compliments to someone) express good wishes or respect […]
Difference between Pavement artist (UK) and Pavement artist (U.S.)
pavement artist (UK)— 1. (also: flagstone artist) an artist who draws on paving stones with colored chalks, hoping to be given money by passers-by: No one but the pavement artist can have any notion of how great the amount of dust is in London’s streets. 2. (sl.) an espionage agent engaged in street surveillance on […]
Difference between Patrol car and Patrol wagon
patrol car—a police car used in patrolling roads and streets: Our patrol car got the call as “shots fired,” with the address given. My partner and I responded. patrol wagon— 1. = patrol car: The patrol wagon, filled with officers, was driven to the place at a breakneck speed. 2. (U.S.) a police van for […]
Difference between Patient of something and Patient with someone
patient of something—enduring suffering, etc. patiently without complaining: He was most patient of injuries done to himself, yet he would not endure any injury done to the name of Christ. patient with someone—able to control one’s feelings in dealing with a person: He was always very kind and patient with me, as he was with […]