earlier on—at an earlier time: Oh, by the way, your son telephoned earlier on to say he wouldn’t be able to come. early on—at an early stage of smth.: We decided early on that we wanted to create a site that was attractive, but more importantly was easy to navigate.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Eagle vulture and Vulturine eagle
eagle vulture—a large black-and-white western African bird (Gypohierax angolensis): You should also see herons and eagle vultures. Around you will be the expected wildlife of the African bush. vulturine eagle—a black-and-white eagle (Aquila verreauxii) of southern Africa: The vulturine eagle makes the mountain precipices its abode.
Difference between Each to his own and Every man for himself
each to his own—is used to say that it is acceptable for people to have different preferences: “I find it hard to believe that anyone enjoys gardening.” “Ah well, each to his own.” every man for himself—said of people trying to save themselves from a difficult situation without trying to help anyone else: “It was […]
Difference between “Each and every one” and “Each one”
each and every one—(emphatic) every individual or thing in a group without exception: I want each and every one of you to know that this administration recognizes the vital role you play. each one—(of two or more people or things) every one taken separately: But as great a day as this is for the whole […]
Difference between Dust bowl and Dustpan
dust bowl—said of an area that has no vegetation because of drought, dust storms, etc.: The worst of the storms were concentrated in an area called the dust bowl by the people of the time. dustpan—a short-handled pan or scoop into which dust is swept: The tiny shards of near-powdered glass won’t easily brush into […]
Difference between Dumb as a fox and Dumb as a stump
dumb as a fox—smart and cunning: He may appear to be harmless, but the truth is, he is as dumb as a fox, and he and his gang are destroying this country. dumb as a stump—(derog.) not very smart: I think Philip is as dumb as a stump. He should open his eyes and see […]
Due for vs Due to
due for something—said of smth. expected as set by agreement, etc.
Difference between Duck shoot and Shoot ahead of the duck
duck shoot—(U.S. coll.) a very easy task: The market gets crowded after midday and is a duck-shoot for pickpockets. shoot ahead of the duck—think and plan ahead; try to anticipate future tendencies: When you adopt a new technology, shoot ahead of the duck. Look at what you do today in terms of longer trends…
Difference between Dry blanket and Wet blanket
dry blanket—(Austral. sl.)—said of a hot afternoon or day: It’s like a bloody dry blanket in here today. wet blanket—(coll.) a person who discourages enthusiasm or cheerfulness: Jane would spoil the whole thing; she is such a wet blanket.
Difference between Dropout and Fallout
dropout— 1. a person who “drops out” from a course of study or from society: Many dropouts leave school long before their senior year. The ninth grade year is a particularly difficult year for students. 2. (attrib.) is used of people who leave a course of study, membership of a society, etc.: Is there a […]
Difference between Drop the ball and Take up the ball
drop the ball—let smth. go wrong; make an embarrassing error: In my opinion, this is one area where Microsoft has really dropped the ball when it comes to spam filtering. Note: a) The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase drop a brick—(sl.) do smth. foolish; say smth. stupid or indiscreet: It was […]
Difference between Drop out and Fall out
drop out— 1. leave a school, etc. before the end of the course: He has dropped out, and won’t attend college any more. 2. (coll.) withdraw (from an undertaking): You can drop out from the rat race, hoping that you can make it on your own. 3. come out: As she picked up the envelope, […]