friend at court—(also: friend in court) smb. in a position of influence who is willing to act in a person’s behalf: We felt that we always had a friend at court in Uncle Alec, no matter what we did or left undone. friend of the court—(legal) an adviser to the court who volunteers to offer […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Fresh as a daisy and Fresh as a rose
fresh as a daisy—feeling cheerful and full of energy: It was six in the morning, dawn was breaking, but Nick still felt as fresh as a daisy, ready to dance, drink and talk for hours longer. fresh as a rose—(of a woman) looking very attractive, with a fresh color: She’s beautiful, yes, really beautiful, fresh […]
Difference between Freeze someone out and Put the freeze on someone
freeze someone out—(coll.) exclude a person from business, etc. by severe competition: They can bring a stock down to the lowest point, thus “freezing out” the unhappy stockholders. put the freeze on someone—(U.S. sl.) ignore a person; end social contact with smb. (also: put the chill on someone): Let’s put the freeze on Ted until […]
Difference between Free someone from something and Make someone free of something
free someone from something— 1. rid a person from smth. undesirable: He was determined to free the child from the stultifying effects of the formal classroom, with its fixation on discipline. 2. release a person from some physical hindrance: As soon as they arrived the colonel took the old man in his office after ordering to […]
Difference between Free ride and Free trip
free ride —(coll.) participation without contributing anything: You’ve had a free ride long enough. You have to do your share of the work now. free trip—(Drug users) an “echo” or a “flashback” of an L.S.D. experience: The kid got a free trip, and it scared her to death.
Difference between Free in something and Free with something
free in something—(of one’s manners, speech, etc.) informal; unceremonious: I have always been frank and free in my talks. free with something—generous with one’s money, praise, etc.: In the woman’s opinion, the gentleman was wonderfully free with his money. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase free of something—(also: free from something ) […]
Difference between Foxy lady and Foxy man
foxy lady—(U.S. sl.) a sexually attractive woman: My strictly platonic friend Mei is a foxy lady even when she is just moving around the house in her sweatpants. foxy man— 1. a man who is sly and tricky: Herod was a foxy man and always tried to win power, but in the end he was […]
Difference between Four kings and Three kings
four kings, the—the playing-cards bearing the representation of a king: Just turn over the cards, one by one, until the four kings turn up, all together. Cf.: history of the Four Kings, the—(arch., also: books of the Four Kings, the) a pack of playing cards: Freddy is up at Oxford, but Uncle says … all […]
Difference between Forget doing something and Forget to do something
forget doing something—fail to keep in mind smth. that one has done: I guess she forgot talking to me yesterday and did not recognize me earlier. She is so busy after all. forget to do something—fail to bear in mind smth. that one has to do: I’m not used to asking permission to do what […]
Difference between Forceful language and Strong language
forceful language—language which is assertive and definite in expression: France and Russia began circulating proposals to significantly reduce the forceful language of the resolution. strong language— 1. = forceful language: Dismayed by the strong language of the resolution, the United States fired back with a harsh assessment of the behavior of some of its allies. […]
Difference between For the support of someone and In support of someone
for the support of someone—for the purpose of providing financial assistance to smb.: Many years ago a sum of money was left for the support of aged spinsters. in support of someone—speak, etc. in order to give one’s backing to a person: Some railway workers vote in favor of an unofficial “token” strike in support […]
Difference between For the meantime and In the meantime
for the meantime—as far as the period of time from now on is concerned: Nevertheless this action does patch up, for the meantime, the quarrel that was developing between them. in the meantime—during the period of time between two events; in the intervening time: His case won’t come to court for months, and in the […]