fix it up with someone —(coll.) arrange smth. with a person: Can you fix it up with the Headmaster so that the meeting will be delayed? fix someone up with someone —(coll.) provide a date or social companion for a person: Daniel met his wife when she was trying to fix him up with her […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Five-by-five and Four-by-four
five-by-five— 1. said of a radio signal which is loud and clear: The standard “loud and clear” to an American had to be a “five by five” or a “three by three” depending on the reception. 2. (in the phrase “everything is five by five”) everything is all right: To stave off any potential concerns […]
Difference between Fit to be hung and Fit to kill
fit to be hung—said of a person deserving the worst punishment: They regarded the Socialists as cowardly deserters or rascally mutineers, fit to be hung. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase fit to be tied—(coll.) used of smb. roused to great anger or indignation: I was fit to be tied […]
Difference between Fit in with someone and Fit someone in
fit in with someone—feel comfortable among particular people: Lou just can’t seem to fit in with her new family. She … resists any kind of companionship from her host-parents. fit someone in—find time to see or speak to a person: Send me a note with your resume and let me check my schedule to see […]
Difference between Fish story and Fishy story
fish story—an exaggerated story; an incredible tale (about fishing): A friend who does not tell fish stories, says he has seen them [herring] in such schools that he could not row his boat through them. fishy story—a doubtful, questionable story suggestive of deception: He gives me a fishy story about how he bought the bike […]
Difference between Fish slice and Slice of fish
fish slice— 1. (UK) a fish-carving knife; a kitchen tool used for turning or serving fish: A fish slice can be used to lift fish fillets or pieces of meat. 2. a thin, wide, flat piece cut off (cooked) fish: Sprinkle lime juice over the fish slices and season with salt. slice of fish — […]
Difference between First time out of the box and Just out of a bandbox
first time out of the box—(coll.) said of one’s first experience with smth.: This is the first time out of the box with these cars and nobody has had a lot of time to work with them yet. just out of a bandbox—said of a person looking extremely smart and neat: They are all exceedingly […]
Difference between First time and For the first time
first time—said of the very first occasion of smth. (similar events could possibly follow later though not necessarily): She put on her hat and shawl and, realizing it was the first time she was to leave him at home, she hugged and kissed him. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase […]
Difference between First school and Primary school
first school—(UK) a school for children aged between five and eight or nine: The village would consent to the school becoming a first school, rather than a primary. primary school—a school for the first four to eight years of education: I started primary school in a class together with fifteen other children, who were all […]
Difference between First lady and First woman
first lady, the— 1. the wife of a president: The first lady carries no official duties…. Nonetheless, she attends many official ceremonies. 2. a woman who is most important or better than any other at smth.: Dubbed the “First Lady of Song,” Fitzgerald has clearly earned her title. 3. (U.S. diners) spare ribs: The phrase […]
Difference between First floor (UK) and First floor (U.S.)
first floor (UK)—the floor immediately above the ground floor: Roos and Paul live on the first floor (that’s the second floor to us Americans). first floor (U.S.)—the ground floor (more or less on a level with the ground outside): The Museum Shop is on the first floor next to the entrance.
Difference between “First and last” and “First or last”
first and last— 1. coming before anything else in order, rank, etc.: They say that exquisite painting is the first and last business of a painter. 2. in essence; for the most part: You are a scientist first and last. Your other activities are merely field tests of the work you do here. Note: The […]