dead season— 1. (of holiday resorts, etc.) the time when there are very few guests: Since it was the dead season, the hotel beach wasn’t crowded at all. 2. a period without commercial, social, or intellectual activity: It was the dead season in London; every one of consequence was out of town. dead time—time during […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Dead rope and Death rope
dead rope— 1. a rope that is fixed, and does not run in a pulley: There must always be at least two complete turns of dead rope on the pulley or drum. 2. a bell-rope working on a halfwheel, for chiming: The bells were not hung for “full circle” ringing until 1678; prior to this […]
Difference between Dead room and Death chamber
dead room—a room or studio made absolutely soundproof: With the advent of radio broadcasting and sound pictures very “dead” rooms have been built. death chamber— 1. (also: lethal chamber) a room specially equipped for executing people: It was with similar displeasure that I undertook a tour of Maryland’s death chamber. 2. (U.S. sl.) an unsafe […]
Difference between Dead right and Dead to rights
dead right—(coll.) absolutely right: You are dead right about the Web connection being the most critical part for a classroom teacher now. dead to rights —(in the phrase “catch someone dead to rights”) catch a person in the act of committing a crime: He was caught dead to rights with the goods on him.
Difference between Dead money and Dead on the money
dead money—money invested in unsold products which cannot therefore be used: This will tell you how much “dead money” is tied up in the three products. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase dead rent—a fixed rent for a mining concession, etc.: A claim for an increase in the amount of […]
Difference between Dead man and Dead soldier
dead man— 1. an object buried in the ground and used as an anchorage: A deck hand was killed by being struck on the head by a “dead man.” 2. (sl.) an empty liquor bottle: I returned to my table and finished my drink. When the owner appeared again I asked if I could help […]
Difference between Dead loss and Total loss
dead loss— 1. said of smth. totally unsuccessful: The defense budget was not a dead loss: the economies of South Africa and Namibia got a shot in the arm as a result of this. 2. (coll.) said of a person who is quite worthless: We’d better fire Smith now—he’s a dead loss. total loss—(Insurance) an […]
Difference between Dead line and Deadline
dead line— 1. an article which a shopkeeper has stopped dealing in because customers have no more interest in it: Silk stockings have been a dead line for years and years, Madam! 2. (also: dead wire) a cable through which no electricity passes: It was as if she had been calling on a dead line […]
Difference between Dead house and Death house
dead house— 1. (dated) a mortuary; a morgue: When they reached the Ferry Beach they made all speed to the hospital and to the “dead house,” which held seven coffins. 2. (sl.) an uninhabited house: We thought it was a “dead” house, but we walked into a girl’s room and she squealed. death house—(U.S. Prison) […]
Difference between Dead heat and Deadly heat
dead heat—said of a race in which competitors finish at the same time: The horses came to the finish in a dead heat, and, without a photograph, the results were too close to call. deadly heat—extreme or excessive heat: These times of deadly heat demand all of our concern and commitment to prevent heat-related tragedies.
Difference between Dead head and Death’s head
dead head— 1. (coll.) a person who contributes nothing to an enterprise or activity; a non–fare-paying passenger, etc.: “No more dead-heads,” Mr. Skinner warned. “Hereafter, pay for your guests.” 2. a dead flower that has become withered and faded: The culling of dead heads is a ploy that figures persistently in the garden in summer. […]
Difference between Dead hand and Dead man’s hand
dead hand— 1. the influence of the past regarded as controlling the present: The dead hand of vanished generations of historians has determined beyond possibility of appeal the pattern of the past. 2. (coll.) an expert at doing smth.: Firstrate work it was, too; he was always a dead hand at splitting. Note: The expression […]