hang it—(interj.) is used to emphatically express one’s anger, irritation, etc. (also: hang it all): “Oh hang it,” he exclaimed—in no logical connection with what he had been relating to me. hang it up— 1. (coll.) cease an activity or effort: We used to own a dairy farm but decided to hang it up and […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Hang in the bell-ropes and Hang on the bell
hang in the bell-ropes—(UK arch.) said of a postponed marriage: During the currency of the three Sundays on which the banns were proclaimed the young couple were said jocosely to be “hanging in the bell-ropes.” hang on the bell—ring the doorbell over and over again: I want to see mountains again. And then find somewhere I can […]
Difference between Hang back and Hang behind
hang back—be slow to act; hesitate: I don’t know why he always hangs back when he gets the chance to do something. hang behind— 1. lag in the rear; remain in the background: She was hanging behind too shy to speak. 2. linger in a place after others have left: One or two of the […]
Difference between Hang all one’s bells on one horse and Put all one’s eggs in one basket
hang all one’s bells on one horse—(UK arch.) leave all one’s property to one child: I’ll not hang all my bells on one horse. I’ll not leave all my property to one son. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase put all one’s money upon the wrong horse—(also: put one’s money […]
Difference between Handicraftsman and Handy-man
handicraftsman—a man who earns his living by making decorative items completely by hand: His son inherited his own traits, and gave bright promise of excelling as a skilled handicraftsman. handy-man—a man skilled at doing small jobs such as household repairs: We had had this problem with our bath tub faucet for almost three months. First […]
Difference between Hand running and Hand-run
hand running —(coll.) one after the other; in unbroken succession: Their wants were few—a pint of beer at the end of the day, a weekly paper to pore over for seven nights handrunning… hand-run—(of lace) machine-made but finished by hand: French underwear was made of the sheerest pure silk ninon and trimmed with hand-run Alençon […]
Difference between Hand-off and Hands-off
hand-off—(Rugby Football) the action of pushing off an opponent with the hand: Gray has a fine kick, with a strong hand-off. hands-off— 1. (of a course of action) characterized by not interfering or getting involved: A protest must be made against this hands-off government policy. Cf.: hands-on—(of an apprach, training, etc.) involving active participation: There’s […]
Difference between Ham and egger and Like ham and eggs
ham and egger—(U.S. sl., pejor.) 1. no one special; just an ordinary person: I hated this movie and I am a ham and egger who can pretty much sit through anything. 2. (Boxing ) an amateur boxer, especially of mediocre skills: Wayka is what an earlier generation of sportswriters might have referred to derisively as […]
Difference between Half-way and Middle-of-the-road
half-way— 1. situated midway between two points, stages of a journey, etc.: A half way station was added where visitors can break their journey with a visit to the nearby Bronze Age Copper Mine. 2. (of a situation) midway between two states or conditions: In this situation, half way between dictatorship and democracy, the military institution […]
Difference between Half the world and Half-world
half the world—is used to hyperbolically designate a great quantity or number: Half the world buys British when it comes to cars, especially semi-sports jobs like this. half-world—a social group considered to be not wholly respectable: Away from his chosen half-world, Munby’s social life was passed in the first literary and artistic circles of his […]
Difference between Half the time and Half time
half the time—(hyperbolic) 1. a much shorter time than is normal or expected: I could have done it in half the time. 2. a considerable time: I’m not surprised he didn’t complete the exam—he spent half the time looking out the window. 3. habitually; very frequently: She calls on the neighbors, she’s out half the […]
Difference between Half-seas over and Overseas
half-seas over—(UK coll.) drunk: I learned later that Charley had run across an old college pal, and was half-seas over in a bar up one street. overseas—across or beyond a sea, especially in another country: The country is up in arms over the denial of voting rights to the men serving overseas.