mistaken about something—is used of smth. concerning which one makes a mistake: I was mistaken about her age. I thought she was over fifty. mistaken in something— 1. is used of an erroneous statement, supposition, etc.: The ancients were mistaken in their belief that the earth was flat. 2. = mistaken about something: “The papers […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Miss out on something and Miss out something
miss out on something—lose an opportunity to benefit from smth.: You may miss out on some of the latest company gossip. miss out something—omit or fail to include smth. in a document, etc.: You can miss out a comma because you’re writing too quickly.
Difference between Minced meat and Mincemeat
minced meat—meat cut or chopped into small pieces: The first mouthful brought the tears trickling down my cheeks. It was red pepper, stuffed with minced meat. mincemeat— 1. a mixture of currants, raisins, sugar, apples, candied peel, etc. used in pies: My wife makes her own mincemeat and her own plum-puddings. 2. (U.S.) = minced […]
Difference between Milk the pigeon and Pigeon milk
milk the pigeon—(dated) attempt the impossible: “Why have you come here if only to fall into a brown study?” “I am sorry. I promised to do a favor for Miss Ravenhurst but I fear I’m only milking the pigeon.” pigeon milk —(also: pigeon’s milk) 1. the partly-digested food with which pigeons feed their young: Pigeons […]
Difference between Milk round and Milk run
milk round— 1. (also: milk route) a route on which milk or other products are regularly delivered to customers: Uncle George used to do the milk round and I remember his little van with milk churns. 2. (UK coll.) the annual tour of higher education establishments by prospective employers: Go to the yearly “milk round” […]
Difference between “Milk and honey route” and “Milk route”
milk and honey route—(U.S. tramps, dated) railroad: Have you ever hiked the milk-and-honey route from Ogden through the Mormon country? milk route—(also: milk round) a route on which milk or other products are regularly delivered to customers: The milk companies are saved most of the costs of distribution by delivering the orange juice on their […]
Difference between Military power and War power
military power— 1. prerogative to decide enjoyed by military authority as contrasted to civil authority: The military power now humbled itself before the civil power. 2. potential capacity to wage warfare derived from military equipment: We know that, on account of the balance of military power, we have got to live with it [communism]. war […]
Difference between Military establishment and War establishment
military establishment— 1. a military body or institution: Colonel Wellesley was long occupied in organizing the civil as well as the military establishments. 2. an institution providing military education and training: The institute was not organized as a military establishment and was open to civilians. 3. the quota of officers and men in a regiment, […]
Difference between Miles away and Miles off
miles away— 1. (hyperbolic) very far away: He trudges across an icy parking lot, toting skis slung over his shoulder. The nearest ski lift seems miles away. 2. not in reach or not readily attainable: Such a prospect is miles away from the school world implied by the proceedings at the recent education “summit.” 3. […]
Difference between Middle West and West Midlands
Middle West—the region of the USA near the northern Mississippi: Mid-Westerners are concerned about the plight of the Indians, because the Indians are part of Middle West life. West Midlands—a metropolitan county of England: The biggest attraction of Dudley, located in West Midlands, is the Zoo situated in the grounds of Dudley Castle.
Difference between “middle age” and “Middle Ages”
middle age—the period in life when a person is no longer young but has not yet become old: He was growing stout with middle age. Middle Ages—in European history the period between about A.D. 1000 and A.D. 1400: During the Middle Ages the main economic units were the villages and manors.
Difference between Merge into something and Merge with something
merge into something— 1. mix with smth., so as to become part of it: As new data become available, the information will be merged into the report. 2. fade or change gradually into smth.: The shadows merged into darkness as we huddled together around the fire’s flickering light and comfort. merge with something—(of business companies, […]