be a bomb—(coll.) be a failure or fiasco: Unfortunately, the film was a bomb and gained a reputation as being the only film on which Mr. Corman lost money. be the bomb—(U.S. sl., sometimes spelled “be da bomb”) be very successful; be received enthusiastically: The show was the “bomb” back in the day when it […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Be a bad life vs Live a bad life
be a bad life—be not likely to live long enough: Elizabeth all her days was reckoned a “bad life.” live a bad life—lead a life of wickedness or immorality: He is leaving a bad life and should be kept away from the young.
Be a back seat driver vs Be in the back seat
be a back seat driver—suggest unwanted advice; tell a person in charge how to do his job: It is always easy to criticize and be a back seat driver. be in the back seat—(also: take a back seat) take a subordinate position: Dad is now in the back seat. Jonathan is in control of the […]
Batman vs Batsman
batman—a British military officer’s personal servant: He told of how his batman mended his clothes; prepared his food; seemed always able to provide him with small comforts. batsman—a baseball or cricket player who bats: In front of the opposite wicket, there’s a player from the opposing team (the “batsman”).
Basic English vs Basic English
Basic English—an essential English vocabulary used for teaching purposes: Basic English is a system in which 850 English words do all the work of over 20,000. basic English— 1. English using few and simple words: I’d picked up a touch of “la tourism” or in basic English, the runs, from the unwashed fruit. 2. (sl.) […]
Base light vs Basic light
base light—(Photography) diffuse, uniform studio illumination approaching a shadowless condition: In some cases you may want to use a low-level base light. basic light—(Photography) illumination using the concept of one main light: In addition to the basic light with a simple on/off button, there are also the dimmer switch lights.
Bark at the moon vs Cry for the moon
bark at the moon—do smth. which has no effect: If other nations don’t adopt similar measures to protect blue sharks, we’re just barking at the moon. cry for the moon—demand smth. impossible: To ask for the matter to be settled by a General Council is to cry for the moon.
Barge in on someone vs Barge into someone
barge in on someone—come rudely into a place and interrupt people in their activities: Albert barged in on Ted without knocking. barge into someone— 1. bump into smb., usually by accident: She just barged into me and nearly knocked me over. 2. meet a person by chance: I barged into him opposite the Old Ship, […]
Bargain on something vs Bargain over something
bargain on something—count on smth.; depend on smth.: Frankly, I did bargain on Fred’s resigning the position. bargain over something—(also: bargain for something ) negotiate about obtaining smth.: We will bargain with the supplier over prices.
Bargain counter vs Bargaining counter
bargain counter—an area in a store where the goods are sold at cut price: You need to be very careful not to be taken in by the bargain counters in some stores. Very often they’re full of shoddy goods. bargaining counter—a special advantage in negotiations: The de facto occupation of parts of the Russian zone […]
Bar girl vs Bar maid
bar girl— 1. a woman who serves drinks at a bar: In her early adulthood, Meili worked as a bargirl in order to pay off debts. 2. (sl.) a woman employed by a bar to act as a companion to men customers (also: B-girl): The soft purring caresses and total availability of the bar-girls must […]
Bang on the door vs Bang the door
bang on the door—knock on the door violently (with one’s fist, etc.): The boys used to bang on the door with sticks. bang the door—close the door violently so that it makes a loud noise: Mr. Talboys strode out of the room, banging the door after him.