overturn something— 1. throw smth. over with violence; cause smth. to fall over: She overturned the chairs and hurled the cushions about. 2. (of a law, verdict, etc.) abolish or invalidate: Anti-abortion forces have been organizing to overturn the decision of the Supreme Court. turn something over— 1. turn smth. upside down: Mr. Campion turned […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Overturn and Turn over
overturn—turn upside down; fall over: Pollock’s car crashed into a clump of trees and overturned. turn over— 1. = overturn: It was less than a hundred feet from the crossing when the car turned over and threw out the two occupants. 2. turn oneself to face the other way: I heard the clock, but then […]
Difference between Overthrow something and Throw something over
overthrow something— 1. turn smth. upside down: …there was a boat right above the submarine. The boat was overthrown and nine fishermen drowned. 2. (of a regime, government, etc.) bring about the downfall; remove by force: Communism signifies an organized attempt to overthrow the existing social order. 3. (of a law, verdict, etc.) eliminate or […]
Difference between Overtake something and Take something over
overtake something— 1. catch up with smth. (and pass) as in traveling, race, or pursuit: Members of the crew continued to remark at how Lewis had managed to overtake the other ship. 2. surpass smth. in achievement, production, etc.: Tourism continues to be important to the island’s economy, although international business has overtaken it in […]
Difference between Overstep something and Step over something
overstep something—go beyond the bounds of smth.; overcome specific limitations: Some brave women in each age may have tried to overstep the limits set for them. step over something— 1. lift the feet so as to pass above smth.: We had to step over piles of broken bricks. 2. = overstep something 2: We’re always […]
Difference between Oversleep and Sleep over
oversleep—sleep beyond one’s usual or intended time for waking: I drove home when he never showed up only to get a call from him telling me that he’s on his way and he overslept. sleep over—stay overnight at someone else’s home: I am a senior in high school and still have to ask my parents […]
Difference between Overshoot the mark and Overstep the mark
overshoot the mark—do smth. to a greater extent than is necessary or desirable: Where have we overshot the mark when it comes to technology, and where have we not yet begun to realize its potential? overstep the mark—behave in a way that is considered morally or legally unacceptable: He appeared like a person who has […]
Difference between Oversee something and See over something
oversee something—officially supervise smth.: He was like a single-minded big brother overseeing every act and thought of the people. see over something—visit and examine a house or place: Are you the young man who wants to see over the occupational therapy department? See also: look over something / watch over something.
Difference between Overrun something and Run over something
overrun something— 1. (of troops) spread over and occupy a territory: The British remained in control of Malaysia until World War II, when Japan overran the country. 2. (of liquid) flow over smth.: I was astounded at the damage that was caused when a river overran its banks. 3. go beyond a fixed limit: The […]
Difference between Overrun someone and Run someone over
overrun someone—attack an enemy force: They were sent off with orders to overrun the troops attacking Shuttleworth’s forward defenses. run someone over— 1. (also: run someone down) knock smb. to the ground with a vehicle (usually Passive): A woman was run over while crossing the road. 2. drive a person to a destination: I jumped […]
Difference between Overrule something and Rule over something
overrule something—make a decision, etc. ineffective using one’s higher authority: The judgment was overruled by the European Court of Justice. rule over something—act as the ruler of a state, territory, etc.: Babylonia was conquered by Kassite princes who ruled over it for 576 years and nine months.
Difference between Override something and Ride over something
override something— 1. have precedence or superiority over smth.: The day-to-day struggle for survival overrode all other things. 2. make a decision, etc. ineffective using one’s higher authority: As managing director, he will be able to override their decisions. ride over something—pass across smth. on horseback, bicycle, etc.: Huntsmen have no right to ride over […]