get a life —(sl., usually imper.) stop worrying about petty things; find smth. useful or meaningful to do with oneself: I wish Janet would get a life. She’s always complaining about nothing. get life—be sentenced to life imprisonment: Shame on those who continue to campaign to grant him early parole…. Most killers get life in […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Get a kick and Get a kick in the teeth
get a kick —(coll.) feel a thrill of pleasure or excitement out of smth.: I was told I should get a kick out of that journey—and I certainly did. get a kick in the teeth —(coll.) experience an embarrassing refusal or failure: I’ll probably just get another kick in the teeth but I’ll do it […]
Difference between Get a hand for and Get a hand with
get a hand for something— 1. receive applause or praise for smth.: Lisa Knott gets a hand for driving all the way down from Santa Barbara to compete. 2. become skilful at dealing with smth.: Try to get “a hand” for that machine, and test out its pros and cons. get a hand with something—receive […]
Difference between Get a grip on something and Get to grips with something
get a grip on something—take control of smth. so that one can deal with it successfully: So far the country has failed to get a grip on its inflation rate. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase get a grasp of something—obtain a clear understanding of smth.: Not only do you […]
Difference between Get a goose egg and Goose that lays the golden eggs
get a goose egg— 1. (Sport) fail to score (also: get a duck’s egg): Anytime you get a goose egg in modern-day football, it’s absolutely phenomenal. 2. (sl.) get a bump on the head: I walked into a door and got a big goose egg on my forehead. goose that lays the golden eggs—a source […]
Difference between Get a good bang for one’s buck and Get a good run for one’s money
get a good bang for one’s buck—(coll.) get a good value for one’s money (also: have a good bang for one’s buck): I am a student who does not make much money and I really got a good bang for my buck here. get a good run for one’s money—(also: have a good run for […]
Difference between Get a foot in and Put a foot in
get a foot in—start working at a low level in the hope of getting a better position in the future: Baker was soon playing bit parts on the stage, got a foot in at the National Theatre, and then the big break came. Cf.: get a foot on the housing ladder—manage to buy one’s first […]
Difference between Get a fix of something and Get a fix on something
get a fix of something—(coll.) obtain a dose of smth., especially an addictive drug: Politicians up for re-election are like crack addicts; they’ll say anything to anyone to get a fix of votes. get a fix on something—(coll.) obtain a clear understanding of smth.: Because of lax reporting requirements it’s difficult to get a fix […]
Difference between Get a duck and Get the bird
get a duck—(Sport) fail to score (also: get a duck’s egg ): Life is very much like cricket: Some get scores and some “a duck.” get the bird— 1. (Theater) be hissed by the audience: You should have been there when Caballe got the bird—deservedly, I fear. 2. (coll.) be dismissed from employment: When you […]
Difference between Get a call and Get one’s call
get a call—receive a message by radio or telephone; be summoned: As soon as I got the call, I was in the car and on my way. get one’s call—(euph.) feel impending death: His breath labored, and there was pain in his eyes. “I’ve got my call,” he said faintly.
Difference between Get a bump and Make a bump
get a bump— 1. get a swelling on one’s body as a result of a blow: My poor dad hit the branch with his head and got a bump and a cut. 2. (of a vehicle) be hit by another vehicle, etc.: Her car got three severe bumps while parked in London. make a bump—(UK […]
Difference between Get a break and Have a break
get a break— 1. take time off from an activity: It was hard for me because whenever I got a break from school, I had to leave and see my other parent. 2. (coll.) get a good deal in a transaction, etc.: Our customers usually expect to get a break when they buy in quantity. […]