if any—supposing there is or are any: It is a cooperative venture with all the profits, if any, being invested in expanding community based broadcasting. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase if at all—supposing an action, event, etc. happens although it is very unlikely: Legislation is referred to a committee, […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between If a day and Not a day over
if a day—(also: if one is a day) is used to express certainty about a person’s age: Madeleine’s sister is a great age, too. Eighty, if a day. not a day over—one cannot be older than the age mentioned: “You look very well, not a day over forty,” Charlie said, standing back.
Difference between Identify oneself to someone and Identify oneself with someone
identify oneself to someone—say or prove (as to the police, etc.) who or what a person is: Shortly before he died, the man identified himself to the police as Michael Howard, 29 years old. identify oneself with someone —(also: identify with someone) feel that one shares the ideas, beliefs, problems, etc. of another person: The […]
Difference between Ice someone and Put someone on ice
ice someone— 1. cause depressing influence over smb.: Her very enthusiasms were cold; she iced you by the tone of her conversation. 2. (Underworld) kill a person: The mobsters threatened to ice him if he went to the police. put someone on ice—(sl.) 1. (also: keep someone on ice) postpone acting on a person: He […]
Difference between Ice man and Snow man
ice man— 1. (U.S.) a man who retails and delivers ice (for use in ice-boxes, etc.): We played our games. I was the iceman and she was the housewife. 2. a man skilled in traversing ice (in Alpine or polar regions): We knew as icemen that the access to the land-ice from the floe was […]
Difference between Ice house and Ice palace
ice house— 1. an underground storage where blocks of ice are stored to be used in the summer: Every substantial country house had an ice house and it is surprising how many remain. 2. a morgue: The body was brought to the ice house, as planned, but the door would not lock. So the poor […]
Difference between I say and I’ll say
I say— 1. is used preceding an utterance to call attention to it: Do you hear the rain, Mr. Caudle? I say, do you hear the rain? 2. is used as an exclamation of surprise, delight, or dismay: I say, what on earth are you doing letting your eight year old watch a TV show […]
Difference between I have seen better and I have seen worse
I have seen better —(also: seen better) is used as a noncom mittal and not very positive judgment about smb. or smth.: The Badge was an entertaining movie, though I have seen better. It is worth catching if you want a mystery to watch. I have seen worse—(also: seen worse) is used as a noncommittal and […]
Difference between I am listening and I hear what you say
I am listening—you have my attention, so speak: Sergius again hesitated. “I am listening,” she said. I hear what you say— 1. I know what you mean and agree with you: “I think it’s about time for a small revolution!” “I hear what you’re saying.” 2. is used with the implication that a person does […]
Difference between Hungry for something and Starved for something
hungry for something—desiring smth. very much: We seek individuals who are personally disciplined and hungry for new experience. starved for something—(also: starved of something) being in great need of smth.: The relevant departments in the Universities are starved for new material.
Difference between How’s that and How’s that for high
how’s that— 1. is used as an expression of surprise or praise: I bought sandwiches with chicken … and I didn’t gain any weight so how’s that! 2. is used to ask whether smth. is acceptable or satisfactory: I’ll go up as high as fifteen dollars. How’s that? 3. is used when asking smb. to […]
Difference between How ever and However
how ever—is used as a more emphatic variant of “how”: Everything is fabulous—how ever are you going to choose? however— 1. in whatever manner or way: However you calculate the costs, we need your estimate by tomorrow afternoon. 2. to whatever degree: However hard he tries to balance his responsibilities, Piech is always going to […]