gallop through something—do and complete smth. quickly: I seem to have galloped through the whole work, which I hope will not suffer from not having devoted more time. run through something— 1. (of a rumor, gossip, etc.) pass or spread through a place: The news ran through the town like wild-fire. 2. read and check […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Gain in something and Gain on something
gain in something—acquire more of a particular quality: The Leader of the Opposition gained significantly in stature as a result of his speech. gain on something— 1. get closer to a vehicle pursued: The police-launch was quickly gaining on the boat. 2. move further ahead of a vehicle: The leading group of three continued to […]
Difference between Gain ground on someone and Gain ground with someone
gain ground on someone—get closer to a person pursued: Each minute did their enemy gain ground perceptibly upon them. gain ground with someone—win smb.’s favor: I had been gaining ground with Mr. Rankeillor, and in proportion as I gained ground, gaining confidence.
Difference between Gain credit and Get credit
gain credit— 1. receive recognition, praise, or approval: It was Alberto Santos-Dumont who gained credit for building the first dirigible that could be maneuvered through the air. 2. complete a part of the higher education course (passing a test, etc.): Students may seek approval to use previously gained credit toward a new program of study. […]
Difference between Gain a point and Gain one’s point
gain a point— 1. score a point in a game or contest: A player gains a point if the opponent hits the ball when it is out of bounds (anywhere not on his court). 2. increase one’s authority, influence, or reputation: The English Minister can often gain a point by dexterous dealing in Parliament. gain […]
Difference between Fuss someone and Fuss someone out
fuss someone—(coll.) 1. (also: fuss over someone) treat smb. with an excessive display of attention or concern: This was fine when she was at home to fuss me … but when she had to leave me I got very upset. 2. bother or annoy a person: It is generally the safest way to take care […]
Difference between Fuss at someone and Fuss over someone
fuss at someone—(coll.) scold or noisily reproach a person (also: fuss someone out): I hate it when I fuss at my kids. I think of how awful other parents sound when they fuss at their kids. fuss over someone—(also: make a fuss over someone) treat smb. with an excessive display of attention or concern: High […]
Difference between Fur coat and Fur-lined coat
fur coat—a coat made of fur: The fur coat she wore must have cost her black-marketeer husband the best part of a thousand. fur-lined coat—a coat with a fur lining: He was wearing a heavy fur-lined coat which made him appear bigger and more fearsome than he was.
Difference between Funny money and Serious money
funny money— 1. counterfeit money: The police warned storekeepers that some funny money was being passed around town. 2. money obtained from an illegal or questionable source: Is he really there to launder some “funny money” with his partner, Sammy? 3. currency with little value, especially artificially inflated: Selling by speculators caused the stock market […]
Difference between Full stop (UK) and Full stop (U.S.)
full stop (UK)— 1. punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence: I remember sitting in class, repeating after the teacher—full stop, capital letter. 2. is used as an interjection to terminate a phrase with finality and emphasis: In fact, anything nuclear-related scares me, full stop. 3. a complete stop (as of traffic, etc.): […]
Difference between Frown at something and Frown on something
frown at something—draw the eyebrows together to express displeasure, etc. when looking at smth.: Then he took one final glance over my application and frowned at my birth date. frown on something—show or express disapproval of smth.: The older generation have always frowned on some of the ideas of the young.
Difference between Front man and Frontsman
front man— 1. a man who publicly represents a person or an organization: The former adviser now serves as a front man for a large foundation. 2. (also: straw man) a respectable man who serves as a cover for a questionable enterprise: Department of Justice investigators believe that Earl Browder is a mere front-man. 3. […]