close the book on something—put an end to a matter; stop working on a case: The police insinuate that David may have been involved in illegal activities and seem to close the book on the case. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase closed book, a—used of a person or thing […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Close the barn door after the horse gets out and Your barn door is open
close the barn door after the horse gets out—not take any action until after a problem has already occurred: The problem is that post-accident testing closes the barn door after the horse is long gone. your barn door is open—(U.S. euph.) is used as a caution to a man having his trouser zip undone: “Excuse […]
Difference between Close something up and Shut something up
close something up— 1. (of a well) close by filling up: We must close up the old well, it’s dangerous. 2. (of a road) close by blocking: Leaving town I saw a few signs saying that the road was closed up ahead. 3. cause smth. to join together: Children have to learn to close up […]
Difference between Close something down and Shut something down
close something down—(of a shop, factory, etc.) cause to cease functioning: The shop had been closed down following the medical inspection report. shut something down— 1. = close something down: The severe winter shut many factories down this year. 2. (of an engine, piece of equipment, etc.) turn off: They shut the machine down so […]
Difference between Close one’s eyes and Close your eyes and think of England
close one’s eyes —(also: shut one’s eyes) pretend that one has no knowledge of smth.; ignore smth.: If the authorities choose to close their eyes, the only thing that will pry them open is public pressure. close your eyes and think of England —(also: shut your eyes and think of England) a humorous advice to […]
Difference between Close enough for government work and Close enough for jazz
close enough for government work—(U.S. ironic) is used to reflect one’s low opinion of the end result, quality of a product, etc.: For decades, the East German public was damned with merchandise that was “close enough for government work.” close enough for jazz—is used to say that while smth. is not perfect, it is close […]
Difference between Close down and Shut down
close down— 1. (of a shop, factory, etc.) cease doing business; stop production: The shop will be closing down for good on Saturday, so everything is half price. 2. (of a radio or TV station) stop broadcasting for the day: This station is now closing down and we wish you all good-night. shut down— = […]
Difference between Clock someone and Clock someone in
clock someone— 1. measure the time a person takes doing smth.: I doubt anyone will clock you on it. But if you’re selling your game you will be present at the booth a part of the day to promote it. 2. (Traffic Police) measure the speed of a passing car using radar gun (in order […]
Difference between Clip someone’s wings and Give someone wings
clip someone’s wings—restrain a person; restrict the scope of smb.’s activities: He could not succeed in clipping the wings of his restless neighbor. give someone wings—provide inspiration to a person: I love his belief in me. He has given me wings and convinced me I can do all things.
Difference between Clip one’s words and Clip the King’s English
clip one’s words—speak with affected clarity or precise articulation: Although he was usually fairly easy to understand, he had a habit of clipping his words so that they sounded extremely precise. clip the King’s English—(UK dated) pronounce words hurriedly and indistinctly when drunk (also: clip the Queen’s English): I only drink to get mauled but […]
Difference between Climb up the wall and Go over the wall
climb up the wall—(coll.) become very angry or distraught: Old Marks will climb up the wall if he hears I closed early. go over the wall— 1. leave a religious order: The world is always more interested in the one nun who goes over the wall than the thousands who don’t. 2. escape from prison: […]
Difference between Climacteric period and Climactic period
climacteric period— 1. the period of menopause in women: Psychological and social conditions influenced the presence of depression during the climacteric period. 2. a period of decisive importance: Barnes rendered specially valuable service in behalf of the Union during the climacteric period of the Civil War. climactic period—a period of greatest intensity in a series […]