mark one’s cards—(also: mark the cards) put secret signs on a pack of cards so one could win by cheating: I’ll never believe he’s a cheating bastard. I’ll never believe he marked his cards. mark someone’s cards—provide information that would give advantage to a person: He welcomed me to Mexico and … marked my cards […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Mark my words and Mark you
mark my words—is used to give emphasis to a warning or prophesy: And you mark my words, you haven’t heard the last of him. mark you—is used to draw attention to smth. one has just said: He is very ambitious—like most men, mark you.
Difference between Marinara sauce (UK) and Marinara sauce (U.S.)
marinara sauce (UK)—a sauce containing seafood, usually in a tomato base: Our next homemade marinara sauce recipe is for a shrimp marinara sauce. This marinara sauce can be served hot or cold. marinara sauce (U.S.)—a sauce containing tomatoes and herbs, with no seafood: Freshly crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, fresh basil and herbs make up this delicious […]
Difference between Mansion house (UK) and Mansion house (U.S.)
mansion house (UK)— 1. the house of a landed proprietor: The landed gentry usually possess a share of pride fully proportionate to their estate and mansion house. 2. (the Mansion House) the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London: The conference took place in the Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House, the Lord Mayor […]
Difference between Manly behavior and Mannish behavior
manly behavior—behavior that is typical of, or suitable for, a man rather than a woman or boy: Because of his military background, Mr. Jones was constantly berating his sensitive, gentle son for his lack of “manly behavior.” mannish behavior—(of a woman) behavior that is more like a man’s than a woman’s (used showing disapproval): In […]
Difference between Man upstairs • Top man
man upstairs—is used with reference to God: Does God sympathize with man? Certainly the great omnipotent, “man upstairs” has all the ability to do anything he wants, but does he exercise that ability? top man—smb. who has the most important position in an organization: He was the top man, and I was his “leg man.” […]
Difference between Man-to-man and Person-to-person
man-to-man—(usually attrib.) said of a talk, discussion, etc., characterized by directness and openness: “We had a man-to-man about changing his personal life,” Harmon said. “I told him to look in the mirror to see the guy who’s causing all the problems.” person-to-person—(attrib.) 1. is used of an operator assisted phone call in which the caller […]
Difference between Man something with someone and People something with someone
man something with someone—supply a ship, etc. with men for service or defense: The commanding officer manned the boat with a crew of his men. people something with someone—fill a place with some kind of people: The state’s intent was to people the land with yeomen and producers of food.
Difference between Man of the world and Worldly man
man of the world—a society man experienced in the ways of social life: My dear Sir Robert, you are a man of the world, and you have your price, I suppose. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase citizen of the world—a person who is at home anywhere in the world; […]
Difference between Man of the woods and Woodman
man of the woods— 1. a savage inhabitant of the woods: He was but a wild man of the woods … polished over skin-deep with Roman civilization. 2. used of orangutan: The variety of the ape and monkey tribes is endless; and among them is the orang-outang, or the “man of the woods,” as the […]
Difference between Man of the people and People person
man of the people—an ordinary man, not distinguished by rank or position: The exchange of roles in “The Prince and the Pauper” suggests that a man of the people can be a benevolent ruler because of his humble roots. people person—smb. who likes being with other people and who is good at working with people: […]
Difference between Man of the moment and Minuteman
man of the moment—(also: man of the day) an outstanding man of his time: Gabriel Deshayes was “a man of the moment,” extremely sensitive to the immense needs of his contemporaries, especially the poor. minuteman —(hist.) a volunteer soldier in the American Revolutionary War (pledged to be ready to fight at a minute’s notice): Salem […]