in one’s right mind—healthy in mind; sane: He is not in his right mind … he is talking nonsense, and is stark mad. in the right mind—in a proper or favorable disposition: Ask him after a good meal, just when he is in the right mind.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between In one’s prime and In the prime of life
in one’s prime—in the period of life when a person is most prosperous and successful: Robinson was an amazing player in his prime and a lot of us are probably too young to remember it. in the prime of life—in the period of life when a person is at the peak of health and beauty: […]
Difference between In one’s own time and In one’s time
in one’s own time— 1. in one’s lifetime: While in his own time Terence’s plays were not popular, many critics praised his graceful handling of the Latin language. 2. in one’s free time; outside working hours: He wasn’t able to finish the job at the office, so he had to do it in his own […]
Difference between In one’s own right and Within one’s rights
in one’s own right—because of personal qualifications: Apart from the assistance he gave Professor Jones in his research, he is a distinguished scientist in his own right. within one’s rights—not exceeding one’s legal or moral authority: He’s quite within his rights to demand an inquiry.
Difference between In one’s mind and On one’s mind
in one’s mind—in one’s thoughts: Miss Quested, who always said exactly what was in her mind, announced that she was desirous of seeing the real India. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase in one’s head—in one’s memory: I don’t know how the chairman keeps all those figures in his head. […]
Difference between In one’s grasp and Within one’s grasp
in one’s grasp—said of smth. firmly controlled: President Nixon stated that we now had in our grasp a peace with honor instead of a peace with surrender. within one’s grasp—said of smth. one is very likely to gain or achieve: Just when the promised land seemed to be within their grasp, the Greeks suffered ignominious […]
Difference between In one’s eyes and To one’s eyes
in one’s eyes —(also: in one’s eye) 1. in one’s imagination; in one’s mind: I still have in my eyes the magic days spent on the mountains with a lot of great people! 2. in one’s judgment; in one’s view: For the life of him he could not make the thing seem right or legal […]
Difference between In one’s day and On one’s day
in one’s day—(also: in one’s days) 1. during one’s lifetime: And did not he [Bacon] cling to geocentricism, which was still prevailingly current in his day? 2. in a period of one’s success, prosperity, etc.: I know of one eminent man of science, who was a burning and shining light in his day. on one’s […]
Difference between In one’s book and In someone’s books
in one’s book—in the opinion of a person: In his book the function of television was to edify, not to entertain. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in the book—used of existing norms, laws, etc.: Although Daisy entertained pretentious of grandeur, her dinner party violated every rule in the book. […]
Difference between In one’s bones and On one’s bones
in one’s bones—(coll.) know or feel smth. instinctively, without proof: I knew in my bones that he was altogether too obviously foreign to be of any interest to me. on one’s bones—(NZ sl.) hard up; destitute (also: on the bone): Ronny Dancy’s on his bones again, I’m afraid.
Difference between In on the kill and On the kill
in on the kill—(also: in at the kill) present at the downfall of smth. or when smth. dramatic happens: Congress was due to defeat the bill, and I went to Washington so I could be in on the kill. on the kill—(of an animal) having the intention of killing (as for food): The bison carcass […]
Difference between In on something and On the in with something
in on something—know smth. that isn’t common knowledge: As Tommy, who was in on the plot, kept Maranzano busy in the office, the killers disarmed his bodyguards. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in for something—used of smb. due for a promotion, punishment, etc.: That gentlemen is in for a […]