first Americans —(also: Native Americans) North American Indians: Who knows whether the first Americans who came across the Bering Strait in pre-history were indeed the first. Cf.: First Nations—used with reference to Canadian Native Americans: All members of First Nations who are entitled to benefits are entered in the Indian Register. first-generation Americans—Americans of immigrant […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Fire someone and Fire someone up
fire someone—(often Passive) dismiss a person from a job: A police officer claims that he was fired because a Web site he operates criticizes the Police Department. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase burn someone—(sl., usually Passive) 1. reprimand a person severely: Having been burned for speaking my mind often […]
Difference between Fire ship and Fireboat
fire ship —(hist.) a ship carrying explosives sent among the enemy’s ships to set them on fire: In order to protect them against fire ships, stockades, raised on piles, were placed higher up the river. fireboat— 1. a boat equipped with pumps for extinguishing fires on boats and piers: Her tenure as a fireboat served […]
Difference between Fire line and Line of fire
fire line— 1. a strip of cleared or ploughed land intended to check a forest fire: It became clear that the truck would survive once it outsped the fire line. 2. a police barrier around a building on fire: It is the responsibility of the police department to keep unauthorized persons outside this fire line. […]
Difference between Fire-irons and Firing-iron
fire-irons—utensils for a fireplace (as tongs, poker, and shovel): The floor was spotless; the grate and fire-irons were burnished bright, and the fire burnt clear. Note: The compound does not correlate in meaning with the expression irons in the fire—(usually in the phrase “have many irons in the fire”) used of things requiring the attention […]
Difference between Fire fight and Firefighting
fire fight— 1. an exchange of fire between opposing units (as distinct from close combat): Three soldiers have been killed in a fire fight with separatist guerrillas. 2. the effort to extinguish or to check the spread of a fire: Several firefighters were transported to the local hospital during the fire fight. firefighting— = fire […]
Difference between Fire department and Fire office
fire department—(U.S.) a fire brigade: You may establish a direct connection with the fire department, or the police and call them immediately. fire office—a fire-insurance company: An even more elusive foe of the fire office than petrol is “the cold-blooded fire-bug” who trades in arson.
Difference between Finish school and Leave school
finish school— 1. complete one’s school education: When he finished school he went to college in the United States. 2. finish classes for the day: When he finished school at noon, the taxi would first drop off the other kids and then Ahmad. leave school— 1. = finish school 1: About a year after she […]
Difference between Finish off with something and Finish with something
finish off with something— 1. end up one’s meal with smth.: Let’s finish off with some of that excellent cheese. 2. conclude by (doing) smth.: The long meeting finished off with a prayer. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase finish off something— 1. (of food) finish completely: The children have […]
Difference between Fine as a fiddle and Fine as fivepence
fine as a fiddle—(also: fit as a fiddle) in excellent form or health: There you are, Stanley. Looking as fine as a fiddle. fine as fivepence —(also: fine as five pence) 1. (of clothes) smart or becoming: Theodore’s own clothing looked as fine as five pence. 2. (of people) smartly dressed: Kitty … could not […]
Difference between Find oneself and Lose oneself
find oneself— 1. become conscious of being in a certain place or state: When he regained consciousness, he found himself in the hospital. 2. discover one’s vocation; realize one’s capabilities: After the war he couldn’t find himself. He was too big of a man to start over. lose oneself— 1. lose one’s way: It’s easy […]
Difference between Find one’s voice and Lose one’s voice
find one’s voice— 1. (also: find one’s tongue) be able to speak again after a shock, horror, etc. which has left one speechless: From his seat in the corner, Dave finally found his voice. “What happened? And when?” 2. (of a writer, painter, etc.) become truly creative and develop a style of one’s own: Andy […]