in leaf —(of a plant) having its leaves expanded: The farmhouse can only just be seen from the road when the trees are not in leaf. in the leaf —(of tobacco) unstemmed and uncut: In the process of manufacturing cigars they take tobacco in the leaf, put it first on racks to dry, then in […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between In heaven and In the skies
in heaven—in the celestial abode of immortal beings: This woman actually imagines that there will be no slaves in heaven. in the skies —(also: in the clouds) not acting according to the realities of life; given to day-dreaming: He is a philosopher. His mind is always in the skies. Note: The expression does not correlate […]
Difference between In haste and In one’s haste
in haste—in a hurry: It is the general fault of physicians, they are so in haste, that they never hear out the case. in one’s haste—owing to one’s haste or hurry: In my haste I forgot to lock the car door.
Difference between In hard condition and In hard conditions
in hard condition—(Sport) in good shape; physically fit: The horses are both in hard condition, so it [race] can come off in ten days. in hard conditions—undergoing hardships: The distinction is blurred by species that grow periodically in hard conditions and aperiodically where they are protected.
Difference between In half and In halves
in half— 1. divide or tear into two equal parts: He and Meyer each signed half of a one dollar bill, tore it in half and kept each other’s halves, just for good luck. 2. (also: by half ) reduce by fifty percent of the original amount: He had priced rolltops in a downtown department […]
Difference between In green and In the green
in green— 1. wearing green clothes: The Glaistig is a female fairy … sometimes described as a little, stout woman, clothed in green. 2. executed or finished in various shades of green color: The painting is finely executed in green, gold, cream, rust brown and a hint of blue. in the green— 1. in the […]
Difference between In grease and In the grease
in grease —(of an animal) fat and fit for killing: The harts are “in grease” from August to the middle of October. in the grease —(of sheep’s wool) not cleansed when shearing: If you wash the sheep you should do it thoroughly, for otherwise you had better shear in the grease. Note: Neither expression correlates […]
Difference between In good time and In one’s own good time
in good time— 1. early enough (when there is no risk of being late): I’d like to reach Salisbury in good time to take a look at the city’s many charms. 2. in a short amount of time: I’ve never been able to make that trip in good time. 3. (also: all in good time) […]
Difference between In good nick and In the nick
in good nick —(sl.) in good condition: It’s not a local ale. Last year it turned up in a couple of pubs, sometimes in good nick other times not so good. in the nick— 1. (also: in the nick of time) at a critical moment when smth. urgently requires to be done: Opening our mail […]
Difference between In glory and In one’s glory
in glory —(of saints, etc.) in heavenly bliss and splendor: The crown is placed on the head of the maternal Virgin in glory. in one’s glory—in one’s highest state of prosperity or enjoyment: I was in my glory when they gave me a standing ovation.
Difference between In future and In the future
in future—from now on; from this time onwards: In future, in my presence, you will no longer wear these garments. in the future— 1. = in future: In the future I’ll ask you not to make me look a fool before the servants. 2. at some time after the present but not immediately: The program […]
Difference between In full spate and In spate
in full spate— 1. (of a current of water) at abnormally high level: This stream cannot be crossed when it is in full spate. 2. said of some intense activity: A migration into the valley continued in full spate beyond the middle of the century. 3. said of an outpouring of unrestrained speech: He was […]