every man Jack—(emphatic coll.) every individual man; everybody without exception (also: every Jack man): I am responsible for the ship’s safety and the life of every man Jack aboard of her. every Tom, Dick and Harry—(often pejor.) anyone, especially people that one does not think are important: Bob values his privacy, so doesn’t hand out […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Every man is a king and Every man is a king in his own house
every man is a king—(also: every man a king ) an American catch-phrase implying the necessity for a fair redistribution of the nation’s wealth: In our democracy, as the founders noted, every man is a king. every man is a king in his own house—(saying ) each man is the ruler of his own domain […]
Difference between Every day and Everyday
every day—(adverbial phrase) do smth. each one of the days: I have been dating a wonderful man for the past two months. My only “problem” is that I want to see him every day. everyday —(attrib.) 1. said of smth. happening or used routinely: Rutledge came in his everyday clothes, giving a longwinded excuse about […]
Difference between Every cloud has a silver lining and Every dog has its day
every cloud has a silver lining —(saying ) every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it: When all else fails, use humor to help you see that every cloud has a silver lining. every dog has its day —(saying ) everyone will get a period of success or satisfaction during his lifetime: […]
Difference between Everlasting life and Life everlasting
everlasting life—life after death: To make this everlasting life as comfortable as possible, the spirit called upon the magical aids and implements provided in its earthly tomb. life everlasting— 1. an American plant (Anaphalis margaritacea) grown for ornament: Life everlasting grows under the table, and blackberry vines run round its legs. 2. American cudweed (Antennaria […]
Difference between Evening dress and Evening gown
evening dress —(also: evening clothes) clothing worn by men and women for evening social events: When he appeared at the door to meet a correspondent he was in evening dress. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase night dress—a loose light garment worn by women in bed: She slipped a housecoat […]
Difference between Eve with a lid on and Eve with a moldy lid
Eve with a lid on—(U.S. diners) apple pie (the reference being to the biblical Eve with an apple): The first couple (Adam and Eve) make an appearance as poached eggs on toast: Adam and Eve on a Raft. Eve appears solo as another name for apple pie: Eve with a Lid On. Eve with a moldy […]
Difference between Escape with a whole skin and Save one’s skin
escape with a whole skin —(also: keep a whole skin) escape without damage; remain unhurt: Has Esther been quarrelling with you? If she has been you are lucky to have escaped with a whole skin. save one’s skin— 1. rescue oneself from death: He was not prepared to dishonor himself by betraying a fellow officer […]
Difference between Escape from prison and Escape prison
escape from prison—break out of prison: Hundreds of policemen are looking for a man who escaped from Princeville Prison early this morning. escape prison—avoid being sent to prison: A man who turned police informer to escape prison went on trial yesterday for perjury.
Difference between Equate something to something and Equate something with something
equate something to something—make two things equal: A new regulation required them to equate road workers’ wages to those paid to other workers. equate something with something— 1. consider two things to be identical: Why socialized medicine should be equated with socialist medicine I fail to understand. 2. = equate something to something: It was […]
Difference between Equal to something and Equal with something
equal to something— 1. (of things) equal to another thing in price, quality, etc.: A table-tennis ball is roughly equal in size to a golf ball. 2. having the power or ability to do smth.: After our long cooping-up on shipboard we were not equal to any exertion. equal with something— = equal to something […]
Difference between Enter into something and Enter something
enter into something— 1. come into smth.; penetrate smth.: The bullet entered into his head at a distance that was longer than his arms, so he couldn’t have shot himself. 2. become a member of an organization; join an institution: When I entered into college, it was with the idea to have a career in […]