cover for someone— 1. carry out the duties of a fellow employee, absent through sickness, etc.: You’ll need to apply for the sabbatical and train those who will cover for you while you’re gone. 2. conceal smb.’s wrongdoing; provide an excuse for a person: She said that Zaikas had covered for Isaac, who was a […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Court shoes (UK) and Court shoes (U.S.)
court shoes (UK)—women’s shoes with a heel, used as a component of formal wear at evening parties, etc.: The Countess of Wessex, wearing unusual Tyrolean-style headwear, wobbled visibly too in her court shoes. court shoes (U.S.)—athletic shoes used for sports played on an indoor court: My father is an avid tennis player who has worn […]
Difference between Couple of something and Pair of something
couple of something— 1. is used of a small approximate number of smth.: Sometimes he would go to one of the call-houses and spend a couple of hours with one of the women. 2. is used to indicate two items that do not belong together as a set: They had ensconced themselves comfortably in a […]
Difference between Country house and Town house
country house—(also: country-seat) a mansion in the country; the residence of a country nobleman: The floor was carpeted and the impression was one of a small library in a rather rundown country house. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase house in the country—a house situated in the countryside: They decided […]
Difference between Count the cost and Count the pennies
count the cost—estimate the advantages and disadvantages of an undertaking: Riding out, they didn’t count the cost; they had one end in view—to serve their king. count the pennies —(also: count pennies) calculate costs carefully; be economical: That [dinner] was very expensive too. I wasn’t in the mood to count the pennies.
Difference between Count someone off and Count someone out
count someone off—count or enumerate people: At the beginning of each class, I count off the students to see if the number present agrees with the attendance lists. count someone out— 1. count people as they leave: The secretary counted the members out as they passed his desk. 2. not to include a person: If […]
Difference between Count one’s chickens and Count sheep
count one’s chickens—anticipate some benefit, with the implication that it may not materialize (in allusion to the proverb “don’t count your chickens before they are hatched”): He had been counting his chickens and borrowing money on the strength of his expectations as his uncle’s sole heir. count sheep—try to fall asleep by counting imaginary sheep […]
Difference between Cotton on to something and Cotton to something
cotton on to something—understand or realize smth.: Remember this fact, you will probably cotton on to how important it is very quickly. cotton to something— 1. be attracted to smth.; accept smth.: In just the last few years, several major retailers have cottoned to this strategy. 2. = cotton on to something: Jane quickly cottons […]
Difference between Cotton on to someone and Cotton up to someone
cotton on to someone—(coll., also: cotton to someone) become attached to smb.; come to like a person: I suppose the fact of the matter was that she didn’t cotton on to me. cotton up to someone—(coll.) try to start a friendship with a person: I saw you cottoning up to the new student; was he […]
Difference between Cotton cloth and Cottony cloth
cotton cloth—cloth made of cotton: If you like to use gloves then use special anti-tarnish or cotton cloth gloves which contain no ingredients to tarnish silver. cottony cloth—cloth looking or feeling like cotton (soft, downy, and white): You can use any type of towel, but to obtain the best drying effect, try to pick a […]
Difference between Cost someone a fortune and Cost someone dear
cost someone a fortune—cost a person a large sum of money: See, Janet, this huge yellow rose wreath here from Mrs. Pettigrew. It must have cost her a fortune. cost someone dear—seriously affect smb.’s health, prestige, etc. (with the implication that the person is himself responsible): Politically, this absent-mindedness was to cost him dear.
Difference between Cost of life and Cost of living
cost of life—the loss of human lives in wars, accidents, etc.: The war eventually ended in victory but not before a great cost of life was exacted from both peoples. cost of living—the general expenses of rent, food, clothes, etc: The jobless are often young, employment is insecure, and the cost of living has risen […]