on at someone—(coll.) nagging smb. persistently; trying to persuade a person to do smth.: His wife’s forever on at him to do something about the fence. on to someone— 1. = on at someone: She’s been on to me to buy her a new coat for a year. 2. aware of smb.’s true nature: You […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between “On again, off again“ and ”On and off“
on again, off again—(also: off again, on again) subject to frequent change: The plans for the fireworks display were on again, off again because of the rainy and windy weather. on and off—(also: off and on) from time to time; not regularly: I tried a variety of diets on and off. Finally, with my wedding […]
Difference between On active duty and On duty
on active duty—fighting as a member of the armed forces: This file contains a history card on each Air Force Officer who was on active duty. on duty—engaged in one’s regular work or service: A uniformed sergeant was drinking orange squash because he was on duty.
Difference between On a shoestring and On a string
on a shoestring —(of a business, etc.) run on a very small amount of money: It is said that Henry Ford started his business on a shoestring. on a string—said of smb. completely controlled by a person: Mr. Bradley said he was not a candidate on a string; he had his own convictions.
Difference between On a rope and On a tightrope
on a rope —(of mountain climbers) roped together (also: on the rope): It is a useful loop knot…. Once much used for the middleman on a rope in climbing, but now superseded. on a tightrope—in an extremely precarious situation: He went right back to the IQ … saying that my grades weren’t what they should […]
Difference between On a level and On the level
on a level— 1. at the same height: She had only brogue heels on her feet; and her shoulders were just about on a level with his. 2. of the same rank or quality: His work was highly regarded by the ancients, who placed him on a level with Homer and Sophocles. on the level— […]
Difference between On a large scale and On the large side
on a large scale—said of smth. involving large numbers or a large area: Boston lacks big blocks of land that make housing construction on a large scale more economically feasible. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in large measure—(also: in large part) to a considerable extent: Public—and in large measure also […]
Difference between Old Tom and Tom Collins
Old Tom— 1. a name for a strong variety of gin: The next day a plunger brought a quantity of salvaged goods, mostly in the form of cases of Old Tom gin. 2. a highly flavored strong ale: Old Tom was the second beer we tested during our evening at the Festival. Tom Collins—a cocktail […]
Difference between Old school and Old school tie
old school—said of conservative or old-fashioned views and principles: My grandmother, who was of the old school, said that self-praise was half slander. old school tie—(UK) the clannish loyalty of people who knew each other at public school or a university: The Inspector was tacitly accusing him of favoring his own class—of shielding an “old […]
Difference between Old lady and Old woman
old lady—(also: old girl) 1. one’s wife: The guy who ran it [Ballroom] hated musicians because one of them ran off with his old lady. 2. one’s mother: I was ordered by my old lady (I do not like to use the word mother) to not open any of the doors. What eight year old […]
Difference between Old girl and Old maid
old girl— 1. (coll.) one’s wife (also: old lady): It’s my old girl that advises. She has the head. But I never own to it before her. 2. (coll.) one’s mother (also: old lady): She told my mother to pay for the hospital bills and leave it alone. My old girl paid and I didn’t go […]
Difference between Old boot and Old shoe
old boot—(UK sl.) said of an objectionable, aging, unattractive woman: She was a tough old boot and survived the hip replacement surgery, but had to go to a nursing home. old shoe— 1. said of smth. regarded as outdated or useless: Love should not become an old shoe, it should never wear out or grow […]