coffee break—a short time out from work in which to rest and drink coffee: Take a coffee break: Coffee is a must for most college students studying into the night. coffee hour—a time to socialize and have refreshments: A weekly coffee hour provides a chance for international students to socialize with American students, staff and […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Cock-eye Bob and Cockeye pilot
cock-eye Bob—(Austral. sl.) a cyclone which occurs on the coast of Western Australia during the summer: Almost daily the sky blackened as cock-eye Bobs shrieked upon them, to lash them in sheets of rain. cockeye pilot—a brightly colored fish (Eupomacentrus leucostictus) found in Florida and the West Indies: The “cockeye pilot,” or jaqueta … green […]
Difference between Clown around and Make a clown of oneself
clown around—do silly things in order to make people laugh: The boys were clowning around when the teacher came in. make a clown of oneself—do smth. silly which makes one appear foolish: This meeting led Rothermere to make a clown of himself and also of his newspaper.
Difference between Clothes man and Old-clothes man
clothes man—a dealer in cast-off or second-hand clothes: I bought from the clothes-man a suit of the most gentlemanly garments he possessed. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase man of the cloth—a priest: It’s nice to see a man of the cloth actually using and believing in science. Cf.: clothier—a […]
Difference between Closed case and Open-and-shut case
closed case—a legal case that has been decided: Trying to reopen a closed case is a very difficult, time consuming (and usually expensive) process. open-and-shut case—a legal case that is easily settled or decided: The jury feels this is an open-and-shut case but Sir John experiences doubts.
Difference between Close up a shop and Close up shop
close up a shop —(also: shut up a shop) close a shop securely before leaving (for the weekend, etc.): The shop was closed up for the night, so Kermit used his key and went up the back way. close up shop —(also: shut up shop) 1. (of an office, firm, etc.) stop doing business for […]
Difference between Close up and Close-up
close up— 1. close completely: The wound is closing up but underneath it it’s still a little tender and bruised. 2. come nearer to each other: As soon as he saw the movement of the crowd the captain gave the order to his men to close up. 3. (of a shop, etc.) close (for a […]
Difference between Close to something and Close with something
close to something— 1. situated near to smth.: The area is a 70-hectare nature reserve lying close to the town. 2. nearly equal to smth.: Visually the print is very close to the original painting in color, tone and texture. close with something—mean with one’s money, etc.: “Was he in the habit of making you […]
Difference between Close to someone and Close with someone
close to someone—intimate or very familiar with smb.: Mr. Weinberger is close to the President … much closer than Mr. Haig has ever been. close with someone—(coll.) stingy towards a person: He was close with his son and never allowed him any pocket-money.
Difference between Close time and Closing time
close time—a season when it is illegal to kill certain animals or fish: He would extend the close time, and he believes that in a year the nets would be catching far more fish. closing time—the time at which pubs, shops, etc. end business: The art museum was fantastic, and we stayed until closing time.
Difference between Close thing and Closest thing
close thing—(also: close shave) said of a dangerous situation that a person just manages to avoid: John had just saved his bacon. It had been a very close thing. closest thing, the—most similar to a person or thing mentioned: Pat Branson was the closest thing to a manual worker among us.
Difference between Close the door on someone and Close the door to someone
close the door on someone— 1. refuse to allow a person in: Next a policeman let several people in including Dick, but closed the door on me. 2. refuse to talk to or have any more dealings with a person: They closed the door on their daughter when she married without their consent. close the […]