in on it—(also: in at it) taking part in an activity; involved in smth.: We’re sure of one thing—it wasn’t a one-man job. But were there two, three, or four of them in on it? on it— 1. (U.S. sl.) well able to do smth.; in control of a situation or a task: You bet […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between In olden days and In the old days
in olden days—(formal) in former times; in times long past (also: in days of old): In olden days audiences took the equivalentof a cut lunch to the theater and expected to be entertained for hour after hour. in the old days—long ago; years ago: We descended the hill, and, passing by the waterhead his father […]
Difference between In office and In the office
in office— 1. inside a room used as a place of business: When the boss is in office she does not take lunch, comes in extra early and leaves late. 2. in an official position of duty or authority: Each President will be in office for five years, and one person can be elected as […]
Difference between In number • in numbers
in number—in sum total; altogether: The cavalry were about a thousand in number. in numbers— 1. in large amount or quantity: Cape carts driven by Malays rattled up and down the streets in numbers. 2. (of books) published in a series of separate parts: I consider it vulgar, and below the dignity of literature, to […]
Difference between In no way and No way
in no way—(also: in no shape) in no manner; not at all: The product we bargained for in no way resembles what we end up with. no way— 1. not a chance; under no circumstances: There was just no way I could pay my way through school without a job. 2. (exclam.) absolutely not: “Have you […]
Difference between In no shape and Not in shape
in no shape— 1. not in good enough condition or state of health: A tired child is simply in no shape to learn new math lessons or improve reading. 2. (also: in no shape or form) in no manner; not at all: If he acted wrongfully, it was in no shape by any precept or […]
Difference between In no position and Out of position
in no position—unable to do smth. because of circumstances: Unfortunately, they were in no position to help us. out of position—(Sport) not in the correct place or facing the wrong direction: An attempt to “steal” the ball from a good dribbler often leaves the defensive player out of position.
Difference between In no humor and Out of humor
in no humor—(also: not in the humor) unwilling or not feeling inclined to do smth.: I was, however, in no humor for talking, and made few remarks in reply. out of humor—displeased; in a bad mood: Notwithstanding he had set his features to the semblance of a smile, I could perceive he was out of […]
Difference between In no condition and On no condition
in no condition—unable to do smth. because of an illness, old age, etc.: I was in no condition to register the details of arriving in the hospital ward. on no condition—in no circumstances: You must on no condition tell him what has happened.
Difference between In milk and In the milk
in milk —(of a cow) giving milk: When people talk of cream, and ask how many cows you have, they mean in milk. in the milk —(of grain) of a milky consistency because of incomplete maturity: Sweet corn, is corn gathered before it is ripe: it is called green corn, or corn in the milk.
Difference between In line for something and In line with something
in line for something—likely to receive smth. such as promotion, etc.: The decision to place him in command had been made hastily; he knew that he had not been in line for such a post. in line with something—in agreement or harmony with smth.: You must keep project activities and resources in line with your […]
Difference between In league with someone and In the same league with someone
in league with someone—in partnership with smb., especially for a dubious purpose: The message is intercepted by the telegraph operator, who is in league with the outlaws and passes the information along to them. in the same league with someone—(usually negat.) in the same class or on the same level of excellence as another person: […]