draw something out— 1. take smth. out; remove smth.: He put his hand in the drawer, and drew out a gun. 2. stretch smth.: Draw out the wire until it is very thin. 3. lengthen or prolong smth.: The politician drew out his speech to almost two hours. 4. take money from a bank account: […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Draw something in and Pull something in
draw something in— 1. bring smth. in by pulling: When the fisherman drew in his net he found in it a remarkable fish. 2. (of air) breathe in; inhale: Draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. 3. (of a piece of clothing ) draw tight or cause to shrink: This billowing dress can […]
Difference between Draw someone out and Pull someone out
draw someone out—encourage a person to talk about one’s private thoughts: Mary is very quiet; try to draw her out at the party. pull someone out—cause smb. to regain cheerfulness or good health: You’re feeling low because you’re overtired; a good holiday will pull you out.
Difference between Draw someone in and Pull someone in
draw someone in— 1. (of an actor, performance, etc.) attract the public: This play always drew in large crowds. 2. persuade a person to participate; involve smb.: It’s your private quarrel, don’t try to draw me in. pull someone in— 1. = draw someone in 1: Its unusual menu, prompt service and excellent location is […]
Difference between Draw out and Pull out
draw out— 1. (of troops) march out of camp or quarters: The enthusiastic troops drew out in formidable strength beneath the holy banner. 2. (of a vehicle) move across traffic: Suddenly the car in front of us drew out and nearly caused an accident. 3. extend in length; become longer: The days are now beginning […]
Difference between Draw in one’s claws and Draw in one’s horns
draw in one’s claws—(also: pull in one’s claws) be less hostile and aggressive: They have drawn in their claws, and have become innocent and demure…. The intolerant bigotry of the dark ages is seemingly renounced. draw in one’s horns —(also: pull in one’s horns) be less keen or active, and more careful: Nor is there […]
Difference between Draw away and Draw off
draw away— 1. move off; move away: The crowd cheered as the ship drew slowly away. 2. move ahead of competitors (in a race): The best runner was beginning to draw away. 3. isolate oneself socially: She has drawn away lately and we can’t find out why. draw off— 1. = draw away 1: The […]
Difference between Draw a veil over something and Veil something
draw a veil over something—(also: throw a veil over something) refrain from discussing smth.; be secretive about smth.: Let us draw a veil over the rest of the episode. veil something—disguise or obscure smth. so as to hide the real nature of it: The book veils its critique of authoritarian politics in a fairy tale […]
Difference between Drama school and Play school
drama school—a college which specializes in the teaching of acting: Known as a major drama school, The New School for Drama provides a theatrical education for those choosing a career in acting. play school—school for children under five: Ryan attends a play school two days a week and will likely be attending preschool later this […]
Difference between Drag one’s feet and Drag one’s foot
drag one’s feet—(also: drag one’s heels) delay doing smth. or doing it very slowly: It’s quite clear that the Government have been dragging their feet over this bill. drag one’s foot—let one’s foot touch the ground and be pulled along as one moves: George limped back toward the cabin, dragging his foot along the ground. […]
Difference between Down-turn and Turn-down
down-turn—a decline, especially in economic or business activity: The economy has already demonstrated that it can suffer a mild downturn in manufacturing. turn-down— 1. the turned-down part of smth.: I showed him the turn-down, only the turn-down, of your note. 2. said of the action of rejecting: I look back on that period of sour […]
Difference between Down to earth and Down to the ground
down to earth—pragmatic; realistic: The committee will include some down-to-earth people who know something about what goes on. down to the ground—(coll.) 1. thoroughly; completely: He looks as if he could be trusted down to the ground. 2. said of smth. that is very typical of a person: He made some rude remarks, but then […]