Great Britain— 1. the island comprising England, Wales, and Scotland: Great Britain is separated from the mainland by the English Channel and from Ireland by the Irish Sea. 2. (also: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the) the British state as a whole comprising Great Britain and Northern Ireland: She has lived in […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Great at, Great in and Great with
great at something—highly proficient in an activity: She is great at making up dishes and experiments all the time. great in something—excelling in a subject: She is great in math. She has a wonderful teacher that truly cares… great with something—very skilful in the use of tools, etc.: John is great with a bit of […]
Difference between Grease the wheels and Squeaky wheel gets the grease
grease the wheels—make progress easier: Those you interact with will know how to grease the wheels of commerce and get things done. squeaky wheel gets the grease, the—(saying ) the person who complains loudest and longest gets service or attention: It seems that the “squeaky wheel gets the grease”—the students who complain loudest get the […]
Difference between Grease spot and Greasy spot
grease spot—a disease of turf grasses caused by a fungus: Pythium blight, also known as grease spot, kills turf in small, roughly circular spots (2 to 6 inches) that tend to run together. greasy spot—a disease of citrus trees producing dark oily spots on the leaves: Greasy spot is a fungus disease that attacks all […]
Difference between Grasp at something and Grasp something
grasp at something— 1. try to seize smth.; grab at smth.: As Timmy grasped at the branch, the last ounce of energy was depleted from his small arms. 2. accept smth. (such as an offer, proposal, etc.) most eagerly: Neoconservative politicians have readily grasped at the opportunity. grasp something— 1. seize and hold smth. firmly […]
Difference between Grant concessions and Make concessions
grant concessions—give special rights or privileges to a business organization: Albania will grant concessions to two international oil groups this month to search for oil. make concessions—come to a compromise (in order to end an argument, conflict, etc.): The Prime Minister had been urged to make concessions by the Irish government.
Difference between Grandame and Grande dame
grandame—(dated) a grandmother or a woman who is no longer young (also: grandam): The sergeant, handing his musket to a comrade, rushed in and attempted to seize the rebellious grandame by the waist. grande dame—a socially important, usually elderly, woman who is well known or highly esteemed: To her customers and culinary followers Madame Kuony […]
Difference between Grammar school (UK) and Grammar school (U.S.)
grammar school (UK)—fee-charging or state funded selective secondary school with an academically oriented program: I hate the thought that friends will get split up because some will go to a grammar school and others won’t. grammar school (U.S.)—(now rare) elementary school: Elementary school, also known as grammar school, is a school of kindergarten through fifth […]
Difference between Graduate student and Post-graduate student
graduate student—(U.S.) one who has completed a bachelor’s degree and is working on a master’s degree: He earned a fellowship to go to Japan, where he stayed for six years, first as a graduate student. post-graduate student—(UK) = graduate student: He spent two years as a post-graduate student at the International Law Department and then […]
Difference between Good-time Charley and Good-time man
good-time Charley—(coll.) an affable, fun-loving person: Wally is such a good-time Charley. Who would believe the trouble he’s had? good-time man— 1. = good-time Charley: Instead of tending to his business, Ilya was too busy chasing women, throwing parties and just being a good-time man. 2. (U.S. Drug users) a man who sells drugs: Max […]
Difference between Good time and Good times
good time— 1. an enjoyable or exciting experience: Neither driver nor drivee has a thought beyond the enjoyment of a good time. 2. right or suitable time for a particular purpose: Murray decided that this was a good time to ask about his living out allowance. 3. (euph.) used with sexual implication: The man was […]
Difference between Good old time and High old time
good old time—(also: good old times) the past, viewed as preferable to the present: However glorious those “good old times” may have been, they still were destitute of one very important advantage. high old time—(coll.) an enjoyable, festive period or occasion (usually in the phrase “have a high old time”): It might look like they’re […]