go around someone—circumvent or outwit a person; avoid dealing with smb.: We will want to go around the boss. He will say no if asked. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase go around with someone—(also: run around with someone) be seen together in public in the company of smb. of […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Go ape over someone and Play the sedulous ape to someone
go ape over someone—(sl.) display strong enthusiasm for a person (also: go ape for someone): The Saudis would agree that the price [of oil] would not go up…. The American public would go ape over the Saudis when this was announced. play the sedulous ape to someone—imitate another person’s style, manners, etc.: I remember walking […]
Difference between Go along with someone and Go along with you
go along with someone—agree with smb.; cooperate with a person in an activity: Jules had to take orders from him pretending to go along with him in his ridiculous schemes. go along with you—(exclam.) 1. is used to rudely tell smb. to go away (and stop being annoying): “Go along with you!” cried my aunt, […]
Difference between Go along for the ride and Go for a ride
go along for the ride —(coll.) join in an activity as an observer only: He told the police he only went along for the ride, but they believe he was fully aware of the others’ plan. go for a ride—journey on a horse, bicycle, or in a vehicle: We all went for a ride in […]
Difference between Go all the way with someone and Go half way with someone
go all the way with someone— 1. be in complete agreement with a person: I agree with much of what you say, but I cannot go all the way with you. 2. (euph.) have sex with a person (as distinguished from other forms of caressing): Dave had lain awake running through endless fantasies of going […]
Difference between Go all the way and Go the full distance
go all the way— 1. successfully complete smth. not stopping halfway: The government didn’t go all the way; it restricted advertising by tobacco companies, but didn’t ban it. 2. (euph.) have sex (as distinguished from other forms of caressing): Unmarried women were not supposed to “go all the way.” They were expected to remain virgins […]
Difference between Go across to something and Go over to something
go across to something—change one’s political beliefs and join another group: I am disappointed Simpson has decided to go across to the Democrats, especially after fighting them so actively in the past. go over to something— 1. = go across to something: Stalin, on the other hand, did not like to see such a figure […]
Difference between Glove box and Glove compartment
glove box— 1. a case in which there are two holes with gloves fixed to them for handling dangerous materials: The glove box is kept at a pressure slightly below atmospheric. 2. compartment in a car in front of the driver’s seat for holding small articles: I sat for a minute in the front seat. […]
Difference between Glass ceiling and Stained-glass ceiling
glass ceiling—an invisible limit of movement to important positions for women, minorities, etc.: This discrimination results in a wage gap and renders women powerless in the face of an impenetrable glass ceiling. stained-glass ceiling—the difficulty for women to gain a certain level of authority within church hierarchies: The paper ran a disturbing article about clergywomen […]
Difference between Give the game away and Have the game in one’s hands
give the game away—make known a secret plan, etc.: Turn up at the airport to two privately chartered flights; not even your tickets will give the game away! have the game in one’s hands—be in a strategically advantageous position: He was thinking that he had the game in his hands only to find out that […]
Difference between Give something the go-by and Let something go by
give something the go-by— 1. evade or ignore smth.: There is one other subject to which I would like to refer, lest I should be accused of deliberately giving it the go-by. 2. surpass or outstrip a car, boat, etc.: As we gave the staggering rice-boats the go-by, I reflected that I was looking upon […]
Difference between Give something off and Give something out
give something off—(of smell, vapor, etc.) release; send out: The Daimler stood patiently in the sun outside, its leather giving off a hot smell. give something out— 1. hand smth. out; distribute smth.: Several people have been arrested in Red Square for giving out leaflets. 2. make smth. known; announce smth.: Whatever made you give such […]