driving test—an examination of a person’s ability to drive a car: What is wanted is a more radical reform in the driving test calculated to lift the standard of roadcraft. test drive—a drive in a car one thinks of buying, etc. to judge its qualities: Before signing a satisfaction note inspect the vehicle carefully and, […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Driver’s license vs Driver’s permit
driver’s license —(also: driving license) a document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle:
Difference between Drive someone to the wall and Drive someone up the wall
drive someone to the wall—push a person to the last extremity: He complained that the company was being driven to the wall by the workers’ demands for higher wages. drive someone up the wall—make smb. very angry or mentally confused: Someone is running a jackhammer outside of my office and it’s driving me up the […]
Difference between Drink hard and Drink hard liquor
drink hard—(also: drink heavily) indulge in alcohol to excess: Jimmy Muir is a typical factory worker who drinks hard and lacks any kind of respect for authority. drink hard liquor—consume strong alcoholic beverages (in preference over wine or beer): My boyfriend acts like an ass regardless of what he drinks although he truly believes that […]
Difference between Dried bread and Dry bread
dried bread—bread that has lost all the water in it: My worldly goods are a knapsack with some dried bread in it, and in my breast-pocket a Bible. dry bread—bread which is plain and not covered with butter or jam: He managed to swallow a little soup and dry bread.
Difference between Dressing table and Kitchen dresser
dressing table—a low table with a mirror at which one sits while dressing, applying makeup, etc.: The following day, in the late afternoon, she’d been sitting in front of her dressingtable rearranging her jewellery in its box… kitchen dresser—a tall piece of furniture with cupboards below and shelves on the top half: Last bank holiday […]
Difference between Dress someone down and Dress someone up
dress someone down— 1. make smb. wear informal clothes for an occasion: Craig was dressed up in a Brioni suit, and what would be the point of that if they were to dress him down for the movie? 2. (coll.) scold or reprimand a person: Well, I let Chris have it, dressing him down for […]
Difference between Dreamlike air and Dreamy air
dreamlike air—is used to describe smth. that seems illusory or unreal: The fortress retains the dreamlike air of a fairytale castle that one might read of in a historical romance. dreamy air—is used of the facial expression of smb. whose thoughts are far away: He appeared to be a quiet and shy redhead with the […]
Difference between Draw the line at and Draw the line under
draw the line at something—refuse to do smth. because it is more than one is prepared to do: I draw the line at nappychanging, not because I am a man but because I don’t like surprises of that nature. draw the line under something—try to forget about a bad situation, etc., so that one can […]
Difference between Draw the curtain over and Ring down the curtain on
draw the curtain over something—(also: draw the curtain on something ) refrain from discussing smth.; be secretive about smth.: The current leader has been trying to draw the curtain over the events of the past decade. ring down the curtain on something—(also: bring down the curtain on something ) cause an activity, business, etc. to […]
Difference between Draw the badger and Overdraw one’s badger
draw the badger—provoke a person to reveal his thoughts, etc.: The Parnellite taunts regarding Balfour’s indifference have at last drawn the badger. overdraw one’s badger —(dated sl., in humorous reference to the above) overdraw one’s banking account: His checks no longer drew the cash…. He had overdrawn his badger.
Difference between Draw something up and Pull something up
draw something up— 1. move smth. by pulling forward: The boat was drawn up and made fast at the landing. 2. (of a bridge) lift at one end so as to prevent passage over it or allow passage through the channel which it crosses: The gate was shut, the bridge was drawn up. 3. (of […]