have a pull with someone—(coll.) have influence with a person, especially smb. in a high position: He has a strong pull with the Managing Director. have the pull of someone—(coll.) have an advantage over a person (also: have the pull over someone): That’s where a gentleman has the pull of you. He doesn’t get excited. […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Have a pied-à-terre and Have one’s feet on the ground
have a pied-à-terre—(Fr.) have an extra room or house which one keeps for use when needed: Ian makes regular visits to Tuscany and to the island of Mallorca where he has a piedàterre. have one’s feet on the ground —(also: have both feet on the ground) have a sensible and realistic attitude to life: The […]
Difference between Have a new lease of life and Make a new life for oneself
have a new lease of life—find new enthusiasm and energy (after a period of illness or sadness): I’m able to do much more which is absolutely great and I have a new lease of life. make a new life for oneself—move to another place, change one’s career, etc., especially to recover from an unpleasant experience: […]
Difference between Have a mind of one’s own and Know one’s own mind
have a mind of one’s own—have an independent opinion: The real offence, as she ultimately perceived, was her having a mind of her own at all. Her mind was to be his—attached to his own like a small garden-plot… know one’s own mind—know what one prefers or wants: Babette seemed to be one of those […]
Difference between Have a long arm and Make a long arm
have a long arm—have a far-reaching power: The Sheriff may have only had control of his county, but with his connections, he had a long arm. make a long arm —(coll.) reach out one’s arm after smth.: I got up and made a long arm for the telephone.
Difference between Have a leg to stand on and Have legs
have a leg to stand on—(of arguments, claims, etc.) be supported by facts or sound reasons (usually negat.): He said that the government did not have a leg to stand on in regard to that bill. have legs —(of a book, film, etc.) have lasting popularity; be long remembered: This latest scandal has legs—you’ll probably […]
Difference between Have a lead in something and Have a lead of something
have a lead in something—be in the first place with regard to smth.: Russia had a lead in space and submarine technology. have a lead of something—be ahead of other contestants in terms of time, space, etc.: Hobbs has a lead of just 35 votes on Independent candidate Gleeson.
Difference between Have a laugh at someone and Have the laugh of someone
have a laugh at someone—find smb. amusing; ridicule a person: You let them in to have a laugh at them or you let them in because you want to listen to what they’re saying. have the laugh of someone—turn the laugh against smb.: “Why, he always used to laugh at you as the dunce of […]
Difference between Have a large practice and Have much practice
have a large practice —(of a doctor, lawyer, etc.) have many regular patients or clients: This doctor has a large practice and is regarded as an able practitioner. have much practice—engage in frequent and systematic exercise of an activity: I haven’t had much practice in speaking French lately.
Difference between Have a heavy hand and Have a light hand
have a heavy hand—be harshly oppressive; inclined to punish severely: Sykes was known for having a heavy hand. Few of his employees stayed more than a year or two. have a light hand—get good results handling smth.: She is very reliable and she has as light a hand with pastry as anyone I ever knew. […]
Difference between Have a heat on and Heat is on
have a heat on—(U.S. sl.) be alcohol or drug intoxicated: A few years ago this dump was full of dope. Every other man you met had a heat on. heat is on, the— 1. said when strong pressure is brought to bear: She says now that the heat is on, the people can depend on […]
Difference between Have a head for something and Have a mind to do something
have a head for something—have a special talent in a certain area: A good editor has a head for business. It does no one any good if the books an editor signs up lose money for a publisher. have a mind to do something—consider doing smth.: There are a few articles that I have a […]