give someone a run—(coll.) 1. see whether smb. is suitable for a job, etc. by letting the person do it for a short time: She’s not someone I would normally date, but I’ll give her a run. 2. offer a strong challenge or competition to a person: John came in second but certainly gave her a […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Give someone a ride and Take someone for a ride
give someone a ride—offer a person a ride on a horse, bicycle, etc.: Five children, who helped catch two thieves, are to be given a ride in a police panda car. take someone for a ride— 1. = give someone a ride: When the weather is nice and she feels up to it I take […]
Difference between Give someone a push and Give someone the push
give someone a push— 1. shove a person: Just at the edge of the well, he gave him a push and threw him into it. 2. said of an act of pushing smb.’s car: Our car was stuck and they gave us a push. 3. (coll.) promote smb.’s advancement; assist a person: I was including […]
Difference between Give someone a pat on the back and Give someone a pat on the shoulder
give someone a pat on the back—express appreciation of smb.’s performance, competence, etc.: He never gave me a pat on the back. I mean, I wanted him to recognize me—to be proud of me. Cf.: give oneself a pat on the back—congratulate oneself on getting a good job done, etc.: If I could dive like […]
Difference between Give someone a pain and Give someone pain
give someone a pain— 1. cause smb. physical pain: The prednisone gave her a pain in her liver and stomach, she could not eat, and she lost all her energy. 2. (also: give someone a pain in the neck) annoy or irritate a person: What would I want to go up to Florence Leaming’s for? […]
Difference between Give someone a nice time and Give someone a hard time
give someone a nice time —(also: show someone a nice time) 1. be very attentive and friendly to smb.: They are very interested to hear of my tour and do anything to give me a nice time. 2. is used with a sexual connotation: This was my first visit and it was fun. A girl […]
Difference between Give someone a Mickey Finn and Take the mickey out of someone
give someone a Mickey Finn—(Underworld) add a sleeping drug to smb.’s drink in order to rob, etc.: He heard a claim that Rudolph was killed by New York waiters who gave him a Mickey Finn. take the mickey out of someone—make fun of a person: The national papers seemed to think that it took the […]
Difference between Give someone a look-in and Look in on someone
give someone a look-in—give smb. a chance to be successfully involved in smth.: Brogden is the only decent leader the Liberals have. But the polls don’t give him a look-in… look in on someone—make a short visit to a person: She has support from a daughter and two daughters-in-law who look in on her regularly.
Difference between Give someone a line and Give someone line
give someone a line— 1. give a person information about smth.: Maybe she can give me a line on a place to stay. 2. (coll.) give smb. false or misleading information (also: feed someone a line): It didn’t matter much whether Frank was giving her a line, or really loved her. 3. (also: give someone […]
Difference between Give someone a lift and Give someone a rise
give someone a lift— 1. offer a person a ride in a car: Can you give me a lift to the station? 2. give smb. a helping hand: I’m going to make some dried-apple fritters for dinner, and you must give me a lift. 3. promote smb. to a higher or more advanced position: That […]
Difference between Give someone a knockdown and Knock someone down
give someone a knockdown—(UK sl.) introduce smb. to a person: I heard one young fellow ask another to “give him a knockdown to that tart in the green skirt.” knock someone down—hit smb. so that a person falls to the ground: A bus came screeching to a stop, practically knocking him down.
Difference between Give someone a hot wash and Throw cold water on someone
give someone a hot wash—(U.S. military) said of a performance review, particularly after a training exercise or combat operation: Troops are often given a “hot wash,” or a critique of what they did and how they did it. throw cold water on someone—(also: pour cold water on someone) discourage a person; curb smb.’s enthusiasm: People […]