come over something—pass or move over smth.: It’s terribly noisy living near the airport, with planes coming over the house all the time. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase overcome something—prevail over smth.; surmount a difficulty, obstacle, etc.: The want of belief is a defect that ought to be concealed […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Come over and Go over
come over— 1. come from a distance (to visit smb.): You really must come over sometime and have dinner with us. 2. (of aircraft) pass overhead: It’s terribly noisy living near the airport with planes coming over all the time. 3. (of a speech, plan, etc.) be received; succeed: How did his latest speech come […]
Difference between Come out on top and Come to the top
come out on top—overcome difficulties; be victorious (over one’s competitors): Although there were a lot of applicants, Henry was the one who came out on top. come to the top— 1. reach the top of a mountain, etc.: The next little excitement was when we came to the top of the Grand Diable. One has […]
Difference between Come out of the blue and Get into a blue
come out of the blue—happen unexpectedly or without warning: Nothing in my life ever came more “out of the blue” than my marriage. get into a blue—(Austral. sl.) get into an argument; start a brawl: Are red-haired people more likely to get into a blue? See also: get one’s blue / get the blues.
Difference between Come out of something and Go out of something
come out of something— 1. leave the place (where smth. has been fixed): The screw was rusty and wouldn’t come out of the wall. 2. (of stains, etc.) disappear; be removed from smth. (with cleaning): Do you think these ink-marks will come out of my dress if I boil it? go out of something— 1. […]
Difference between Come out of someone’s ears and Go in one ear and out the other
come out of someone’s ears —(sl.) have smth. in great or excess quantity: I’ve been looking for some time before buying and have read reviews till they come out of my ears. go in one ear and out the other—said of smth. that is heard but paid no attention to: His writing implied that the […]
Difference between Come out in something and Come out with something
come out in something—(of a skin disease) become covered in spots, pimples, etc.: At the hospital she started to come out in spots and they sent her home saying it was chicken pox. come out with something—say or propose smth., such as an idea, etc.: You have to rationalize the situation and come out with a […]
Difference between Come out in a rash and Come out in a rush
come out in a rash—(of a skin disease) become covered in spots, pimples, etc.: We both came out in a rash that we assumed was an allergic reaction to something. come out in a rush—(of words, etc.) be articulated in a sudden quick flow: Her thoughts came out in a rush, as if she hadn’t […]
Difference between Come out for something and Go out for something
come out for something— 1. go on strike in order to gain smth.: The Post Office workers have come out for more pay. 2. support smth.: The Government comes out for the decentralization of the decision-making process. go out for something— 1. make a concentrated effort to obtain or achieve smth.: Don’t trust that man. […]
Difference between Come out ahead and Go ahead
come out ahead—succeed or make a profit: The player can be in the hole by any amount of money and still come out ahead in the end. go ahead— 1. move in front: The advance party has gone ahead to see if the mountain is safe for the other climbers. 2. start or continue with […]
Difference between Come out against something and Come up against something
come out against something—oppose smth.; declare one’s opposition to smth.: Those who come out against unity are acting against the interests of the country. come up against something—(also: be up against something) encounter a serious obstacle or problem: They came up against a lot of opposition to their plans.
Difference between Come out and Go out
come out— 1. (of a tooth) fall out: My tooth has just come out. 2. (of a stain, etc.) be removed: Do you think that dirty mark will come out? 3. be freed (from a prison): It’s been a long year, but he comes out next Friday. 4. emerge; become visible: The sun came out […]