goat’s foot—a South African low-growing plant Oxalis caprina of the wood sorrel family: Henry was eating breakfast under an arbor of potato-vines and goat’s foot. goat-foot— 1. is used of the Greek god Pan: It was the hour of Pan. I could almost think I saw the goat-foot playing his pipes by the brook. 2. […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Go wild and Run wild
go wild— 1. be very excited or enthusiastic about smth. (indicating it in one’s behavior by shouting, cheering, etc.): London went wild with delight when the great news came through yesterday. 2. be madly attracted by a person: She was just hitting puberty, and Solomon was going wild about her. Devorah was highly desirable by […]
Difference between Go while the going is good and Make good going
go while the going is good—leave while the conditions are still favorable: I feel that it’s time that we went out as winners … go while the going is good, so to speak. make good going—(UK coll.) advance rapidly; make good progress: You should be an experienced hiker, have suitable mountain equipment and be able […]
Difference between Go to the war and Go to war
go to the war—depart for the scene of a war as a soldier: I’m not telling the tale. We all went to the war. go to war— 1. = go to the war: There were lots of other outcomes for her efforts without her going to war for the sake of her country. 2. (of […]
Difference between Go to the bottom and Touch bottom
go to the bottom—(of ships) sink: The men were all sick, and the women and children thought they were going to the bottom. touch bottom—(also: hit bottom) 1. (of prices, sales, etc.) reach the lowest or worst point: Prices touched bottom during the depression years. 2. (of people) become extremely poor: Until they touch bottom, […]
Difference between Go to hell and Go to hell in a handbasket
go to hell—is used to rudely tell a person to go away (and stop being annoying): When I politely asked him to move his car, he told me to go to hell. go to hell in a handbasket—be in an extremely bad state and continue to the point of total ruin: We don’t get involved […]
Difference between Go to ground and Go to the ground
go to ground— 1. fall down: Larsson claimed a penalty when he went to ground after a tussle with Amoruso. 2. (also: go to earth) go into hiding; put oneself out of sight: Some key gang leaders had been arrested and the assumption was that the others had “gone to ground.” go to the ground— […]
Difference between Go to bed in one’s boots and Go to bed with one’s boots on
go to bed in one’s boots—(dated sl.) be very drunk: If old Jones drinks much more, he’ll go to bed in his boots. go to bed with one’s boots on—(sl., of men) use a contraceptive: You can’t make them wear something. I tried to tell Reggie once…. “No fear,” he said, “I don’t go to […]
Difference between Go to bed and Go to sleep
go to bed— 1. retire for the night: He said he knew the sort of place I meant; where everybody went to bed at eight o’clock…. 2. (euph.) have sex: A young doctor may think it all right to propose “going to bed” to a nurse he has only just met. 3. (of a newspaper, […]
Difference between Go through changes and Go through the changes
go through changes—undergo changes; be involved in changing circumstances: It is okay to go through changes otherwise our lives will have no meaning. go through the changes— 1. = go through changes: If the company had not gone through the changes, it probably would not have survived. 2. (euph., of women) go through menopause: “Going […]
Difference between Go the whole gamut and Go the whole hog
go the whole gamut—cover the whole range: The names of the visitors go the whole gamut from “empty pockets to very, very deep pockets.” go the whole hog—complete smth. not stopping halfway: We commend the Government for the bold step it has taken thus far on the issue and we hope it will go the […]
Difference between Go the limit and Reach the limit
go the limit—(also: go to the limit) 1. do as much as possible: We know that Quiller will go the limit to ensure the success of his mission. 2. go beyond what is reasonable: I am taking my time about it and do not go the limit. Do not let them tell you that I […]