get out of it— 1. escape from a difficult or awkward situation: They wanted us to go lunch. I did my best to get out of it. 2. (coll.) is used to tell a person not to talk nonsense: Get out of it! You can’t expect me to believe that! snap out of it—(coll.) free […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Get onto someone and Get to someone
get onto someone— 1. get in touch with smb., especially by telephone: I’ll have to get onto Sarah about the deadline. 2. (coll.) keep nagging or annoy a person: She’s been getting onto me for a year to buy her a new coat. 3. (coll.) trace or find a person: He tricked people for years […]
Difference between Get oneself together and Hold oneself together
get oneself together —(also: get one’s head together) get mentally organized: The most commonly cited reasons for withdrawing include: needing a break from college, needing to get oneself together, emotional problems… hold oneself together —(also: keep oneself together) keep one’s composure; maintain one’s good sense: It was only through the kindness of my friend and […]
Difference between Get oneself off the hook and Go off the hooks
get oneself off the hook—(coll.) free oneself from difficulty or trouble: Later it was useful to describe this incident to get myself off the hook at a Royal Navy interview panel. go off the hooks—(sl.) die (also: drop off the hooks): No man was ever able to write his own life complete. He’s certain to […]
Difference between Get one’s wind and Get wind
get one’s wind—recover power or ability to breathe without difficulty: You had better get your wind now, and change your clothes. Cf.: lose one’s wind—become out of breath when running or exerting oneself: He avoided stairs and lost his breath tying his shoelaces. get wind —(of news, rumors, etc.) become widely known; spread: The story […]
Difference between Get one’s ticket and Get one’s ticket punched
get one’s ticket— 1. (sl.) be discharged from the army or from prison: “Coiners” as a rule returned to their profession as soon as they got their “ticket.” Prison is a great punishment to such men. 2. qualify for promotion; take a step up in a career path: Seventeen years before he got his “ticket,” […]
Difference between Get one’s teeth into something and Put teeth into something
get one’s teeth into something—(also: sink one’s teeth into something) 1. bite into smth.: Many a time I thought of Bobbie when I got my teeth into a bit of walrus or seal meat. 2. (coll.) deal with smth. vigorously: Here, get your teeth into this and see if you can manage this project. put […]
Difference between Get one’s second pip and Get the pip
get one’s second pip—(UK Army) be promoted from second to first lieutenant: Kathryn had been proud of them all, but most of Harry Kim, who finally got his second pip. get the pip —(coll.) feel annoyed and miserable: Laura wasn’t the only one to get the pip! Quite a few disgruntled customers had been telling […]
Difference between Get one’s point across and Get someone’s point
get one’s point across—communicate one’s argument or idea successfully: I wear an insult from a liberal as a badge of honor because it means that I got my point across. get someone’s point—understand what another person is trying to prove or explain: I couldn’t put that into words, but people around me got my point […]
Difference between Get one’s picture in something and Get one’s picture of something
get one’s picture in something—have one’s photo appear in a magazine or newspaper: The driving factor is the desire to become famous, get lots of exposure, get one’s picture in a magazine. get one’s picture of something—become aware of certain facts: To get one’s picture of science history solely from the published literature would be […]
Difference between Get one’s pennyworth and Have one’s two pennyworth
get one’s pennyworth—(UK) have full value for one’s money; get a sufficient return for one’s trouble, etc.: Mr. Cataway makes sure he gets his pennyworth of work from those assistants. have one’s two pennyworth—(UK) add one’s comments or opinion on the matter: Everyone started to leave, but I was determined to have my two pennyworth, […]
Difference between Get one’s feet under the table and Put one’s feet up
get one’s feet under the table—get settled in: It will take four or five months for Greg to get his feet under the table, to understand the enormous number of complex and tricky issues he has to master. put one’s feet up—relax or take a rest: That way I can put my feet up and […]