do someone in the eye —(sl.) cheat or defraud a person: He handed her a gold chain of curious workmanship. “Unless I’ve been done in the eye it’s an old one.” hit someone in the eye— 1. make a strong impact on smb.: I drove about in a smart red-wheeled coach. Anyhow, it hit my […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Do someone honor and Do the honors
do someone honor— 1. pay deserved tribute to a person: Twenty heads of state attended the Queen’s coronation to do her honor. 2. (of smb.’s action or behavior) add to a person’s reputation (also: do someone credit): Her behavior in such a difficult situation does her honor. do the honors—act as the host; serve one’s […]
Difference between Do someone credit and Give someone credit
do someone credit—(of smb.’s action or behavior) add to a person’s reputation (also: do someone honor): Your obvious sincerity does you credit and I may owe you an apology. give someone credit— 1. praise a person for his behavior or some good quality: He gave my father the real information and my father always gave […]
Difference between Do right by someone and Put someone right
do right by someone—treat smb. fairly in moral or legal terms: I oppose this bill because it does not do right by our disabled veterans. put someone right—(also: put someone to rights) 1. make smb. well again: Since there is nothing wrong with him really, a placebo will put him right. 2. correct smb.’s ideas […]
Difference between Do oneself well and Do well for oneself
do oneself well— 1. provide oneself with comforts, delicacies, etc.: The old artist always did himself well: he took berths on the Orient Express, in spite of Connie’s dislike of trains de luxe…. 2. become professionally or financially successful: The film was directed by Bruce Beresford … and with this one I think he has […]
Difference between Do oneself down and Do oneself up
do oneself down—(UK coll.) make oneself ashamed or less proud of oneself: Remember not to do yourself down—it is your job to sell yourself, the employer’s job to judge how well you do this. do oneself up —(coll.) dress up for the party, etc.; make oneself more beautiful: After spending two hours putting makeup on […]
Difference between Do one’s worst and Make the worst of it
do one’s worst—do one’s utmost in evil or mischief: Out of sheer revenge, he did his worst to blacken her character. make the worst of it—experience the worst aspect of a situation: Having married, they immediately proceeded, as if by mutual consent, to make the worst of it. See also: have the best of it […]
Difference between Do one’s thing and Do the other thing
do one’s thing— 1. act in a way commonly associated with the person: It’s quite amusing to listen to him doing his thing with tourists in the lounge bar. 2. follow one’s own interests or inclinations: I think, rather, she insists on doing her thing—what it pleases or suits her to do. do the other […]
Difference between Do one’s money and Make one’s money
do one’s money—(Austral., NZ sl.) lose all one’s money; spend one’s money completely: Right now I’ve done my money, but as soon as I can raise the fare I’ll be getting back. make one’s money—acquire or earn money, especially when having a good income: Bob did his time in prison and has kept clean ever […]
Difference between Do one’s homework and Do one’s housework
do one’s homework— 1. said of lessons to be done by a schoolchild at home: Your child will be more accepting of doing his homework when he knows that it must be done at a specific time. 2. do all the necessary research and preparation for smth.: Before heading out on her shopping spree she […]
Difference between Do one’s block and Do the block
do one’s block—(Austral. sl.) become angry or excited: I did my block—panicked, I reckon you’d say. do the block—(Austral. sl.) take a walk; promenade: The streets are thronged with handsome women “doing the block.”
Difference between Do lunch and Make lunch
do lunch—eat lunch: At midday he did lunch and a roundtable discussion with farmers at the Country House Restaurant. make lunch—prepare lunch: Samantha tugged me towards the kitchen; on the way she said, “Daddy has made lunch.”