flyboy—(U.S. sl.) a member of an air force, especially a pilot: And, of course the infantry objected to the glorification of the flyboys. flyman— 1. (Theater) a man stationed in the “flies” to work the ropes, etc.: The flyman may be said to carry some of the destiny of the performance in the hollow of […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Fly the flag and Keep the flag flying
fly the flag— 1. (of a ship) be registered to a particular country and sail under its flag: Swearing an oath to revenge … he resolved to plunder any ship flying the flag of Spain. 2. (also: show the flag ) represent one’s country, etc. (by attending an event): Without their assistance, there would have […]
Difference between Fly paper and Fly-sheet
fly paper—sticky paper for killing flies: Once the first fly lands, even more flies are attracted to the fly paper—making this product one of the most effective ways of dealing with flying insects. fly-sheet— 1. a small loose advertising sheet: Brandt had received money with which to publish and distribute fly sheets inciting the unemployed […]
Difference between Fly on the wall and Let that fly stick to the wall
fly on the wall—an unperceived observer who is able to overhear discussions, etc.: “What did you wheedle out of Maggie?” “Well … she was no fly on the wall, but there have to be letters, documents, papers to be typed.” let that fly stick to the wall—(Scot.) say nothing more on that subject: We’ve got […]
Difference between Fly off the handle and Go off the handle
fly off the handle —(coll.) get into a rage; lose one’s temper: When we are under stress, we are more likely to fly off the handle. go off the handle —(coll.) 1. = fly off the handle: Jimmy went off the handle at once; and Nicol kept patting him on the back. 2. die: My […]
Difference between Fly in the ointment and Hair in the butter
fly in the ointment, a—some small or trifling circumstance which spoils the enjoyment of smth.: There is only one fly in the ointment offered by commercial propagandists; they want your money. hair in the butter, a—(U.S. sl.) said of a delicate situation or sensitive issue: Never mind the details—which neither the Governor’s office nor anyone […]
Difference between Fly high and Fly low
fly high— 1. have high ambitions: Ah! My boy, you are flying high. It is difficult to become a Lord Chancellor. 2. enjoy a high position in society, at work, etc.: John is flying high after landing himself a hi-tech job in the computer industry. 3. (sl.) be drunk or affected by drugs: The guy […]
Difference between Fly camp and Flying camp
fly camp—a temporary advanced camp at a distance from a base camp: Hughes moved one helicopter off to the nearest fly camp, thirty miles southwest. flying camp —(dated) a body of troops formed for rapid movement from place to place: An attack was to be made on the British camp on Staten Island by troops […]
Difference between Fly boat and Flying boat
fly boat—(dated) 1. a passenger boat formerly used on canals: Until the advent of “fly boats” … there was no night working, with the canals open only from sunrise to sunset. 2. a large flat-bottomed coasting boat: Captain George Weymouth made a voyage of discovery to the northwest with two flyboats. 3. a small boat, […]
Difference between Fly a kite and Go fly a kite
fly a kite— 1. say or do smth. with the intention of testing other people’s reaction to it: I thought that here I would fly a kite for a somewhat less-fashionable theory…. 2. (sl.) pass a worthless check; sell worthless stocks and bonds: Marty was picked up for flying kites in three different cities. 3. (Underworld) […]
Difference between Flowery language and Language of flowers
flowery language—the use of fine words and phrases to embellish a narration: Linneus devised a kind of Latin suitable for concise descriptions: animals and plants were not to be written up in flowery language. language of flowers—a way of expressing one’s sentiments by means of flowers: She looked into the bouquet, to see whether there […]
Difference between Flowery Land and Flowery Nation
Flowery Land— 1. (also: Flowery Empire) said of China: The sight of the rickshaw carried me back to the Flowery Land. 2. (U.S.) said of the State of Florida: Spain continued sending explorers to Florida…. But France also coveted the flowery land. Flowery Nation— = Flowery Land 1: The beautiful fabric we call silk, sir, […]