go out of service—be no longer in operation; cease to be used: The “slow” jets of the 1960s went out of service as they were replaced by more modern machines. quit the service— 1. leave one’s employment: When he thought him sufficiently mellowed, he proposed to him to quit the service of his new employer. […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Go one’s own way and Go one’s way
go one’s own way—follow one’s inclinations; act independently: Parents need to realize that as children grow up, they’ve got to let them go their own way. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase have one’s own way—(also: have one’s way) do what one wants meeting with no opposition: Divide a nation […]
Difference between Go on the streets and Take to the streets
go on the streets— 1. go out into the streets: After finishing home duties, people go on the streets to walk up and down to meet their friends, to socialize. 2. demonstrate for or against smth.: In Japan, whose labor force is among the highest paid in the world, thousands of people go on the […]
Difference between Go on the bend and Go round the bend
go on the bend —(coll.) have a drinking spree: The apprentice may be a wild youth with an earnest desire to go occasionally “upon the bend.” go round the bend —(coll.) go crazy or behave as if mad (also: go around the bend): If I don’t get some rest, I’ll go round the bend. Note: […]
Difference between Go on the air and Walk on air
go on the air—(also: come on the air) 1. (Radio, TV) begin broadcasting: The radio station went on the air shortly after the storm. 2. (of a program) be broadcast: Certain programs go on the air in the form of a mixture of live and recorded segments. 3. speak over the radio: I suppose you […]
Difference between Go on stream and Go with the stream
go on stream—(also: come on stream) be in active operation: What is worse, by the time the plants were ready to go on stream, they were also ready for modernization and refitting. go with the stream—(also: float with the stream) act or think as the majority of people do: I am not a yes-man, who […]
Difference between Go on stage and Go on the stage
go on stage —(of an actor) appear before the public (also: come on stage): Andy and Steve Dobinson both went on stage several times to recite their own poems. go on the stage—take up the profession of an actor: If he had gone on the stage he would have made a good actor.
Difference between Go on medication and Go on the pill
go on medication—start the treatment of an illness using drugs: When these children go on medication, parents are often concerned that daily pill-taking will damage the child’s self-esteem. go on the pill—start to take contraceptive pills regularly: Many women who go on the pill have to try out several different brands before they find the […]
Difference between Go on doing something and Go on to do something
go on doing something—continue in the same activity in which one was already engaged: He didn’t even look up. He just went on reading. go on to do something—move on to a new activity; proceed to smth. else: After introducing the speaker, the chairman went on to give details of the meeting.
Difference between Go off the chart and Go off the map
go off the chart—greatly exceed normal or expected standards or values for smth.: The combination of all these factors raise the risk level so high “it goes off the chart.” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be in uncharted waters—be in an unfamiliar situation which may be dangerous: We are […]
Difference between Go off on someone and Go off someone
go off on someone—(UK coll.) become very angry or excited: Your hair color is nice, I wish I could dye my hair like that. My parents will go off on me though. go off someone—(coll.) cease to like a person: Earlier on in the episode the two were cuddling up in the pub, so why […]
Difference between Go lay an egg and Lay an egg
go lay an egg—is used to rudely tell a person to go away (and stop being annoying): “How many times have I told you not to smoke in my….” “Ah, go lay an egg.” lay an egg—(sl.) 1. fail completely; give an utterly unsuccessful performance: The play was a failure. They certainly laid an egg […]