not even think of something—(usually imper.) not even consider the idea: Except that I want to see your sin-stained countenance, I should not even think of a week in Paris. not think much of something—(also: think little of something) have a poor opinion with regard to smth.: He gives very good dinners, but I don’t […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Not count one’s chickens before they are hatched and Not cross one’s bridges before one comes to them
not count one’s chickens before they are hatched —(usually imper.) not anticipate some expected benefit because it may not happen: You’re expecting to make a lot of money but don’t count your chickens before they are hatched. not cross one’s bridges before one comes to them—(usually imper.) not worry unnecessarily about future problems until they […]
Difference between Not born yesterday and Yesterday’s man
not born yesterday— 1. not naive or easily fooled: It shouldn’t surprise anyone who wasn’t born yesterday that these ads that sound too good to be real are just that. 2. old enough to know or remember smth.: Anyone who wasn’t born yesterday remembers the old Mexican Village restaurant, or at least has heard tales […]
Difference between Not a thing and Not the thing
not a thing—nothing at all: “And you didn’t hear anything, or see anything?” asked Perry Mason. “Not a thing.” not the thing—not proper or befitting: New York was a metropolis, and in metropolises it was “not the thing” to arrive early at the opera.
Difference between Not a bit and Not a little
not a bit—not at all; not in the least: I haven’t slept all night and I am not a bit tired. not a little—to a considerable extent: They were not a little surprised to see me, and not a little annoyed either. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase no […]
Difference between Northwest Territories and Northwest Territory
Northwest Territories—a huge area of sub-arctic and arctic Canada: When the nights are dark in autumn and winter, the northern lights come out in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Northwest Territory—(U.S. hist.) an area created by Congress in 1787, covering present-day Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota: A committee of Congress, headed by […]
Difference between North light and North Lights
north light—a window, especially in a studio roof facing north: I went to his tiny studio. He’d simply put a high north light in the roof of a small bedroom. North Lights—(also: Northern Lights) the aurora borealis: I stood looking up at the North Lights, which shot up the heaven to a great height.
Difference between Normal school and Special school
normal school—an institution with a two-year program for the training of teachers (chiefly for the elementary grades): One key element of the teacher training philosophy was to maintain a “practice” or “demonstration” school attached to the Normal School. special school—a school for the teaching of children who are mentally or physically handicapped: The baby had […]
Difference between None but and None other but
none but—no other person or thing except the one mentioned: None but the very few could ever appreciate the ideal of the man, much less understand it. none other but—(also: none other than) is used to emphasize the importance of the person or thing mentioned: The architect was none other but James Gibbs, also famous […]
Difference between Nominate someone for something and Nominate someone to something
nominate someone for something—propose a person as a candidate for a position: A National Republican Convention will be held for the purpose of nominating candidates for President and Vice President. nominate someone to something—appoint a person to a position or office: The Popes have continued to nominate bishops to the lost Patriarchates; but these bishops […]
Difference between No worries and Not to worry
no worries—(Austral. coll.) that’s OK; no problem (used as an expression of reassurance): She asked me whether she could stay in my place during her stay in Singapore. “Sure, no worries,” I said. not to worry—(coll.) is used to say that smth. need not be a cause of concern: The government had no money, but […]
Difference between No word and Not a word
no word—no news or communication received: It’s been over a month and still no word. So as of now I will never order there again. not a word—not even one word, spoken or written: They seated themselves and ate their breakfast together, and still not a word was said. Note: The expression does not correlate […]