give one’s respects to someone—send a formal expression of respect for smb. through another person: Give my respects to your Father, whose pamphlet I read with great interest. pay one’s respects to someone—show respect for a person by presenting oneself or by making a call: They were not “ardent royalists,” but had come to pay […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Give one’s life for something and Give one’s life to something
give one’s life for something—(also: lay down one’s life for something) allow oneself to die for a good cause, etc.: This monument is to honor soldiers who gave their life for the cause of liberty. give one’s life to something—dedicate one’s whole life to smth.: Socrates gave his life to the study of questions that […]
Difference between Give one’s arm to someone and Give one’s hand to someone
give one’s arm to someone—(also: offer one’s arm to someone) allow a person to walk arm-in-arm or lean on one’s arm: He turned his back on Alfred, gave his arm to Mrs. Langham and advanced into the hotel. give one’s hand to someone—(of a woman) agree to marry a man: He fails, however, to win […]
Difference between Give of one’s best and Give someone best
give of one’s best—(also: do one’s best) do all one can; do smth. as well as one can: He wasn’t the cleverest member of the committee, but he gave of his best. give someone best—(UK) admit to being wrong; admit defeat: I give you best. I was mistaken about the whole thing.
Difference between Give notice and Take notice
give notice— 1. notify or warn a person with regard to smth.: I had been given notice that the home I’m living in was going up for sale. 2. dismiss smb. from employment: A person who is given notice can easily become demoralized. It takes time to accept the situation…. 3. notify the employer about […]
Difference between Give it to someone and Give it to someone straight
give it to someone—scold smb. harshly: Later, in a private eye-to-eye discussion, with no witnesses to overhear, Slavsky really gave it to me. give it to someone straight—tell smth. to a person directly: So I gave it to him straight: I’m broke, and there’s no way I can pay the hospital fees.
Difference between Give it mouth and Give mouth
give it mouth —(dated) speak with vigor and intensity: “Tell us your name!” said the man. “Pip, sir.” “Once more,” said the man, staring at me. “Give it mouth!” give mouth—(also: give tongue) 1. utter one’s thoughts; express smth. in words: I have an opinion of you, sir, to which it is not easy to […]
Difference between Give it a shot and Give it the gun
give it a shot—(coll.) give smth. a try; attempt to do smth. unfamiliar: I don’t know if my recording skills are up to par but I just might give it a shot. give it the gun —(coll.) cause a vehicle to accelerate rapidly: Even when I would stand in the road and make motions to […]
Difference between Give it a second thought and Have second thoughts
give it a second thought—reassess an opinion or decision previously made: You may think this will happen in the distant future but if you give it a second thought you’ll realize it is already happening. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase don’t give it a second thought—(also: don’t give it […]
Difference between Give it a name and You name it
give it a name—(imper.) 1. say what it is you want: I know you want something or you wouldn’t have come to see me. Give it a name old fellow! 2. what would you like to drink: What are you drinking? Give it a name, chaps—there’s everything here. you name it—everything that you can think […]
Difference between Give heart to someone and Give one’s heart to someone
give heart to someone—inspire smb. with confidence; encourage a person: Tom says he hopes his success will give heart to those who have lost their jobs. Cf.: take heart from someone—be encouraged or inspired by a person: During the time I spent in Nigeria I took heart from brand-new converts to the Church. give one’s […]
Difference between Give full weight to something and Give weight to something
give full weight to something—treat smb.’s testimony, evidence, etc. as valid or important: Dr. Fielden acknowledged he had no training in the field of chiropractic treatment, yet the court gave full weight to his opinions. give weight to something—support or add to the validity of the evidence, etc.: The fact that he had answered the […]