make a dust—(coll.) act in a noisy manner; cause a commotion (also: raise the dust): No real building can come out of revolutions which make a dust and a mess and bitterness and reaction. make the dust fly —(coll.) start working with the utmost vigor or energy (also: make the feathers fly): We turned them […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Make a do of it and Make a to-do about it
make a do of it—(coll.) make smth. succeed (also: make a go of it): You’ve got your own life and you go and live it and make a do of it. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase make do with something—(also: make something do) accept smth. although it is not […]
Difference between Make a day of it and Make someone’s day
make a day of it—devote a day to some pleasurable activity: To make a day of it, invest 400 yen on a one-day pass that allows passengers to get off and on at sites of interest along the route. make someone’s day—render smb.’s day delightful; give a person great pleasure: I had it sent to […]
Difference between Make a compliment to someone and Make one’s compliments to someone
make a compliment to someone—(also: pay a compliment to someone) express praise or admiration for a person in a remark: She was remarkable for her sincerity, and when she made a compliment to anyone, she spoke what she really felt. make one’s compliments to someone —(also: pay one’s compliments to someone) express one’s greetings or […]
Difference between Make a clean sweep of something and Sweep something clean
make a clean sweep of something— 1. eliminate smth.: The revolutionary force of motorization has made a clean sweep of all other patterns of living. 2. win all the prizes, seats in parliament, etc.: Mr. Drapeau’s Civic Party made a clean sweep of all 52 seats on the city council. sweep something clean—clear dust, dirt, […]
Difference between Make a claim for something and Make a claim to something
make a claim for something—demand compensation payment (under an insurance contract): If you send a parcel that becomes lost or damaged … you may wish to make a claim for compensation. make a claim to something—(also: make a claim on something) 1. assert one’s right to smth.: Japan made a claim to this territory and […]
Difference between Make a case for something and Make a federal case out of something
make a case for something—(also: make out a case for something) give good reasons why smth. should be done: You can easily make a case for giving a placebo as being a valid course of treatment. make a federal case out of something—(also: make it a federal case) complain too much; exaggerate the importance of […]
Difference between Make a business of something and Make it one’s business
make a business of something—make smth. one’s profession: If you like to travel, you could make a business of transporting other people’s cars to Florida. make it one’s business—consider smth. one’s duty or responsibility: Miss Leatheran had thereupon made it her business to find out exactly what this foreigner was doing in their midst.
Difference between Make a bow and Make one’s bow
make a bow—bow as a sign of respect or as a greeting: Mrs. Everett made a cold bow, and, afflicted with sudden myopia, did not see the hand held out. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase take a bow—bow to acknowledge an introduction, applause, etc.: She received a standing ovation and […]
Difference between Make a big play of something and Make great game of something
make a big play of something—(also: make much play of something) treat smth. as very important in order to make an effect: They get us out of the car and make a big play of examining our papers. make great game of something—make fun of smth.; ridicule smth.: People made great game of the affair […]
Difference between Make a bed and Make one’s bed
make a bed—put a bed in order after it has been used; fit a bed with sheets and blankets so that it is ready to sleep in: A true nurse always knows how to make a bed, and always makes it herself. make one’s bed— 1. = make a bed: I made my way back […]
Difference between Make a bag and Make the bag
make a bag— 1. (Hunting) kill a number of game on a shooting expedition: I was quail-shooting and had made a bag of about a dozen birds by the time I had reached the house. 2. (of a pregnant animal) undergo enlargement of the udder: Femme is dropping in her tummy now, and starting to […]