for fear of something—because of anxiety or fear about smth.: They were too scared to voice their own opinion for fear of assassination or torture. in fear of something—frightened or alarmed by the prospect of smth.: He lived in fear of assassination by those loyal to the Government.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between For effect and For good effect
for effect— do smth. in order to impress people: His whole behavior and conversation are calculated for effect. for good effect— use smth. profitably or to advantage: She talked about how children can be helped and our money used for good effect.
Difference between For demonstration and To demonstration
for demonstration—use smth. for purposes of demonstrating: These machines have been used for demonstration in our showroom and at trade shows. to demonstration—prove smth. conclusively and beyond dispute: He proved to demonstration the soundness of the judgment he had formed.
Difference between For all the world • for the world
for all the world— 1. is used to emphasize assertions of likeness: She looked for all the world like her twin sister. 2. without the slightest doubt: I thought for all the world that the car would plunge headlong down the bank. 3. (emphatic, negat.) on no account; not for the greatest possible reward: I […]
Difference between For all the marbles and Have all one’s marbles
for all the marbles—(coll.) compete for all the money or for the top prize: This game is for all the marbles, it all comes down to one game and the team that wants it most will win. have all one’s marbles—(coll.) be in possession of one’s mental faculties: My first teacher will never be gone […]
Difference between For all it’s worth and For what it’s worth
for all it’s worth— 1. to the utmost of one’s power or ability: Chris Reininger says the shark was huge and they were “fighting for all it’s worth.” 2. (in the phrase “milk something for all it’s worth”) exploit an opportunity, etc. to the full: A cynic might state at this point that Ash has […]
Difference between For a wonder and To a wonder
for a wonder—surprisingly; strange to say: The children, for a wonder, kept still long enough for her to hear. to a wonder —(dated) to an astonishing extent: His motives were not, nor could be, of the amorous kind, for she was ugly to a wonder.
Difference between For a moment and For the moment
for a moment—very briefly; for a short time: He might have popped in for a moment, since he was passing this way. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase not for a moment—(emphatic) absolutely never (also: not for one moment): Not for a moment would I suggest that you did it […]
Difference between For a minute and Not for a minute
for a minute— 1. very briefly; for a short time: Could I borrow your English dictionary for a minute, please? 2. for one moment: The police moved to protect him and for a minute it seemed as if they were going to put him into a car. not for a minute—(emphatic) absolutely never (also: not […]
Difference between For a kick-off and For kicks
for a kick-off —(coll.) to begin with; in the first place: “What’s wrong with it?” “Well, for a kick-off, it hasn’t been cooked properly.” for kicks—(coll.) do smth. for pleasure or excitement rather than because it is necessary: Dylan isn’t serious about riding; he does it for kicks.
Difference between For a bit and For quite a bit
for a bit—(coll.) for a short period of time: Why can’t we stay here for a bit? for quite a bit—(coll.) for quite a long time: Mr. Heissman was away for quite a bit.
Difference between Footwork and Leg work
footwork—sureness and accurate placing of the feet in boxing, dancing, etc.: Kaman makes the most of his footwork. He stays clear of Tosca and picks his punches well. leg work— 1. = footwork: Flying wings rely on the pilot’s legwork to become airborne and span and performance is limited by the power of the human […]