have respect for something—(also: have regard for something) honor or respect smth.: Since some of the members have no respect for the law, they refuse to enter into a legal marriage. have respect to something —(also: have regard to something) take smth. into account: In fixing the remuneration we shall have respect to the work […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Have regard for something and Have regard to something
have regard for something—(also: have respect for something) honor or respect smth.: If you had any regard for your good name you would not act in that manner. have regard to something —(also: have respect to something) take smth. into account: When considering the precise meaning of a word we must have regard to the […]
Difference between Have power over someone and Have someone in one’s power
have power over someone—have control over a person; be able to command smb.: He had power over me as my employer; I was in a totally vulnerable situation. have someone in one’s power—be able to do what one wishes with a person: I had her in my power—up a tree, as the Americans say.
Difference between Have one’s wits about one and Have the wit to do something
have one’s wits about one—be alert and ready to act in a difficult situation: In this part of the city you must have your wits about you all the time. have the wit to do something—have enough intelligence and understanding to do smth.: The Aztecs had the wit to leave a wide open space all […]
Difference between Have one’s nose in something and Put one’s nose into something
have one’s nose in something—(coll.) read smth. very attentively: Friends of mine have a ten year-old son who always has his nose in a book. put one’s nose into something—(coll.) interfere in a matter which does not concern one (also: poke one’s nose into something): The issue has flowered into a discussion about Kroger’s right […]
Difference between Have one’s mind on something and Have something on one’s mind
have one’s mind on something—(also: keep one’s mind on something) give all one’s attention to smth.: It’s hard to work when you’ve got your mind on other things. have something on one’s mind—think of smth. causing worry or concern: I knew my aunt sufficiently well to know that she had something of importance on her […]
Difference between Have one’s hands tied behind one’s back and With both hands tied behind one’s back
have one’s hands tied behind one’s back —(also: have one’s hands tied) be prevented from doing smth.; be restricted in one’s freedom to act: The only reason it took a year was I had my hands tied behind my back because we had signed a contract. with both hands tied behind one’s back—(also: with one […]
Difference between Have one’s fingers in the till and Hold the purse strings
have one’s fingers in the till—steal money from the place where one works: Sally was outraged when she found that one of her salesclerks had his fingers in the till. hold the purse strings—control the spending of a family’s or an organization’s money: Maudie is the one who holds the purse strings and Moth finds […]
Difference between Have one’s day off and Have one’s off day
have one’s day off—have a day free; have a day off duty: She doesn’t go to work on Thursdays: she has her day off. have one’s off day— 1. said of a day when one does not perform as well as usual: Otto Becker, normally used to win, had his off day with both horses. […]
Difference between Have nothing to say and Have nothing to say for oneself
have nothing to say— 1. have nothing to speak about: The two remained for a while in their places: Caswall because he had nothing to say, Mimi because she had much to say and wished to put her thoughts in order. 2. be unable to justify or explain one’s conduct; say nothing in one’s own […]
Difference between Have no time for something and Have time for something
have no time for something— 1. be unable to use a period of time for smth.: Unfortunately, he was very busy and had no time for a chat. 2. (coll.) have no respect or admiration for smth.: I never had much time, to use an effective colloquialism, for the list of “the best hundred books.” […]
Difference between Have no sense of something and Have not the sense of something
have no sense of something—not appreciate or understand the value or worth of smth.: In our country, the rich have no sense of responsibility. have not the sense of something— 1. not mean or denote smth.: The passage is a quotation … “stantibus in medio crocis,” where “crocis” has not the sense of “saffron”…. 2. […]