have a finger in something—(also: have a hand in something) be involved in smth.; play a role in smth.: Possibly the Russians might have had a finger in this. The cold war was raging at that time. pull one’s finger out—(sl.) start working more efficiently (also: get one’s finger out): We’re still waiting for the […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Have a feeling about something and Have a feeling for something
have a feeling about something—have an emotional attitude towards smth.; harbor a prejudice or fear about smth.: I don’t want to be in a train crash. But I have a very bad feeling about this train. have a feeling for something—have taste or sensitivity for smth.; have an understanding of smth.: Most women have some […]
Difference between Have a feel for something and Have the feel of something
have a feel for something—have sensitivity for and understanding of smth.: The DJ definitely had a feel for the type of music the kids would respond to. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase feel for something— 1. attempt to find smth. by feeling about with the hand: He felt for […]
Difference between Have a fat chance and Have a slim chance
have a fat chance—(coll.) hardly have any opportunity or possibility: So far it looks like the bill has a fat chance to get through. have a slim chance— = have a fat chance: Asteroid spotted in space by observatories has a slim chance of hitting Earth.
Difference between Have a falling out and Have a fallout
have a falling out—have an argument or disagreement, especially one that leads to strained relations: He was asked whether he and Dave had had a falling out, and he totally dodged the question. have a fallout—(of an event or situation) have lasting negative consequences: The controversy has had a fallout in parliament with very little […]
Difference between Have a face as long as a fiddle and Have a face made of a fiddle
have a face as long as a fiddle—look dismal or extremely depressed: I saw you yesterday and you had a face as long as a fiddle. What was the matter with you? have a face made of a fiddle—(arch.) be irresistibly attractive: A person who was well-liked had a face “made of a fiddle,” meaning that […]
Difference between Have a drop too much and Have a glass too much
have a drop too much —(coll. understatement) be rather drunk (also: take a drop too much): One night I had a drop too much and there was a bit of a row. have a glass too much —(coll.) be drunk: The policeman said that Peter had a glass too much. Of course, what he had […]
Difference between Have a drop and Have the drop
have a drop —(coll.) take a small quantity of liquor: I have had a drop, but I had not been drinking. have the drop —(coll.) have an advantage over a person: The boys from that team have the drop on their opponents.
Difference between Have a down on someone and Have an up on someone
have a down on someone—(also: have a downer on someone) have a grudge against smb.; dislike a person: For some reason or other he had a down on me and I grew to hate him. have an up on someone—have an advantage over a person: I’m not bilingual though, so you do have an up […]
Difference between Have a dash at something and Make a dash at something
have a dash at something—(coll.) make an attempt to do smth.: He decided to have a dash at surgical intervention and risk the consequences. make a dash at something— 1. = have a dash at something: It was his habit, when traveling in any foreign country, to make a dash at French, even if the […]
Difference between Have a crow to pluck and Pluck a pigeon
have a crow to pluck—state and settle some disagreeable issue with smb.: When they have taken their places, she said abruptly: “I have a crow to pluck with you.” pluck a pigeon—(sl.) swindle an ignorant or credulous person: A noble Duke or Lord, would have as little scruple in plucking a pigeon as their inferiors.
Difference between Have a bottle and Have a lot of bottle
have a bottle—have a drink; take part in social drinking: There’s a definite feeling of anticipation here as the boss slips his credit card behind the bar or your mate says “Go on, let’s have a bottle.” have a lot of bottle—(coll.) have the courage to do smth. difficult: Not many people could lose six […]