here and there—in various places; scattered about: The old birch-woods still linger here and there. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase neither here not there—used of smth. not very important or irrelevant to what is being discussed: This may be neither here nor there but I have to say it. […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Help someone to something and Help someone with something
help someone to something—serve a person with food, drink, etc.: “Shall I give you some strawberries, Mr. Hervey,” said Lady Anne, “or will you let Helena help you to some cherries?” Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase help oneself to something— 1. give oneself smth. such as food (without […]
Difference between Help someone off something and Help someone off with something
help someone off something—help a person to leave smth.: Two males helped him off the boat, then led the man ashore, through the waist deep water. help someone off with something—assist a person in taking off clothing: He shut the front door and turned to help her off with her coat.
Difference between Help oneself and One can’t help oneself
help oneself—serve oneself with food, drink, etc.: Once he had (quite generously) helped himself, the others at the table began to join in, keeping him from only consuming half the bottle on his own accord. one can’t help oneself—one can’t refrain from doing smth.: The man turned himself in possibly because he knew what he […]
Difference between Hebrew manna and Manna from heaven
Hebrew manna—moisture oozing out of an Arabian variety of tamarisk, Tamarix gallica: The manna of this country has nothing to do with Moor’s Alhagi or Hebrew manna. manna from heaven—(originally of food that God gave the Israelites during the Exodus) anything very advantageous and unexpected: To us then the cakes were manna from heaven and […]
Difference between Heavy in hand and Heavy-handed
heavy in hand—(of people, horses, etc.) hard to manage or control: Even if Jane was a little heavy in hand, with that appearance it didn’t so very much matter. heavy-handed— 1. awkward in the use of hands: She even taught heavy-handed but dauntless colliers, who were seized with passion to “play.” 2. inclined to severe […]
Difference between Heavy-headed and Light-headed
heavy-headed— 1. drowsy; sleepy: I look so sleepy this morning, warm, slightly confused and heavy-headed from too much slumber. 2. dull or stupid: They are prejudiced with German films because they expect them to be heavy-headed and suffer from a lack of humor. light-headed— 1. weak, giddy and likely to faint: Low blood pressure can […]
Difference between Heavy artillery and Light artillery
heavy artillery—powerful or persuasive persons or things: The cheap prices of its commodities are the heavy artillery with which it batters down all Chinese walls. light artillery—(U.S. Drug users) equipment for preparing and using drugs (hypodermic needle, etc.): All that junk on the table is my light artillery.
Heart-burning vs Heartburn
heart-burning—an embittered, resentful state of mind: To avoid the heart-burning that may otherwise be caused by so frank a history as I intend this to be, I am going to be nonspecific in dealing with the people… heartburn—an uncomfortable burning sensation in the lower chest, usually caused by stomach acid: Heartburn is caused by stomach […]
Difference between Heart-breaking and Heart-broken
heart-breaking—causing intense sorrow or grief; extremely distressing: There is also a heart-breaking scene as the children say goodbye to their mother at the train station. heart-broken—overwhelmed with anguish, despair, or grief: I was heart-broken and could not believe a human being who is supposed to be kind could treat me that way.
Difference between Heart disease and Heart-sickness
heart disease—any morbid condition of the heart: Heart disease and strokes are related to potentially treatable but undetected hypertension. heart-sickness—great depression; despondency: Heart-sickness makes many dyspeptics; for mental trouble has a paralyzing influence upon the digestive organs.
Difference between Heard it from the horse’s mouth and Little bird told me
heard it from the horse’s mouth—heard it directly from the person concerned: The story was even more intriguing when we heard it from the horse’s mouth. little bird told me, a—said of information gathered from a source not to be named: A little bird told me that the appointment of a director will be made […]