color vision—perception of and ability to distinguish colors: As soon as the results of experiments on the retinae of animals were published, it was clear that a method was wanted for obtaining similar information with regard to the color vision of man. colored vision—a disturbance of vision (sometimes caused by drugs) in which objects appear […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Color man and Man of color
color man— 1. a dealer in paints: By the early 1770s … the head colorman, Constantine Smith, had invented a dark, semi-matt, over-glaze blue enamel of exceptional brilliance. 2. smb. who colors maps, prints, etc.: A Map of the Mediterranean … is remarkable for the fact that the color man has forgotten the alteration of […]
Difference between Collision course and Crash course
collision course— 1. a course, as of moving vehicles, that will end in a collision if left unchanged: Because of the density of the fog, the deck officers did not realize that the ships were now on a collision course. 2. confrontation between opposing groups, etc. that may end in conflict: All attempts at diplomacy […]
Difference between College board and College boards
college board— 1. the governing body in a college: College board members are encouraged to consult with the School Boards Association when specific questions arise. 2. (U.S.) an organization that provides tests and other educational services for colleges: For the majority of colleges, you’ll have to take tests issued by the College Board. college boards—a […]
Difference between Cold for someone and Cold to someone
cold for someone—is used of smth. not warm enough for a person: The water was too cold for me, and I decided not to bathe that day. cold to someone —(also: cold with someone) said of smb. who is not kind or friendly to a person: He was cold to his son that morning.
Difference between Cold fish and Cool fish
cold fish—a callous, unfeeling individual; one who shows no emotion: He is a real cold fish, never has struck me as the kind of man to care much for others. cool fish —(sl., also: cool card) a person who is impudent in a calm way: Another sense referred to somebody who was assured, audacious or […]
Difference between Cold cash and Hot money
cold cash —(also: cold hard cash) money in its proper form, as distinguished from checks, etc.: A Chinese buyer walked into his atelier and paid cold cash for a monumental statue (which can go for up to a million dollars). Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase cool million—(coll.) a million […]
Difference between Cold as stone and Stone cold
cold as stone —(also: cold as a stone) 1. very cold to the touch: Laura reached for Paul’s hand but when she laced her fingers in his, Paul’s hand was cold as stone. 2. (of a person) not much moved by emotions: He was all sweet and kind to me but I remained cold as […]
Difference between Cold as hell and Cold winter in hell
cold as hell —(coll.) said of an extremely low ambient temperature: Where’s my jacket? It’s cold as hell outside. cold winter in hell—said of smth. not likely to happen or happening on a very rare occasion: It’ll be a cold winter in hell before I ever go back there again.
Difference between Coin laundry and Money laundry
coin laundry—(U.S.) a self-service laundry with coin-operated washing machines: If you need to use a coin laundry, be sure to sort everything at home before you go. money laundry—a facility (such as a bank, etc.) engaged in transactions aimed at concealing the identity of illegally obtained money: I figured it was a money laundry, probably […]
Difference between Coin box and Money box
coin box—(UK) a public telephone: Annie called him from a coin box using a two-pence piece that had been given her. money box— 1. a small box with an opening into which coins are dropped as a way of saving money: A shilling went into the child’s money-box that she had chosen as a safe […]
Difference between Coffin nail and Nail in the coffin
coffin nail— 1. smth. (in a sequence of events) that tends to do serious harm: Every time they buy products made in other countries they are driving another coffin nail into America’s economy. 2. (sl.) a cigarette: Our joking doesn’t seem very funny any more, because for many thousands, cigarettes really do become coffin nails. […]