challenge someone on something—dispute a person’s statement, remarks, etc.: I think Fred is wrong, but I won’t challenge him on his estimate. challenge someone to something—dare smb. to do smth.; invite a person to compete at smth.: Your opponent now has the chance to challenge you to a return game.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Chalk it up to someone and Chalk one up for someone
chalk it up to someone—(coll.) attribute smth. to or account for smth. by a person’s age, inexperience, etc.: I apologise for failing to recall what he said. Please chalk it up to me being an old guy and subject to memory failure. chalk one up for someone—(coll.) put smth. to a person’s credit: I give […]
Difference between Chairman of the board and Chairman of the boards
chairman of the board—the leader of a corporation’s board of directors: He was Chairman of the Board of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and remains a board member. chairman of the boards—(Hockey) a player who controls play along the boards: One of our sportsmen has been extended the ultimate compliment by the city of […]
Difference between Cause for something and Cause of something
cause for something—reason or motive for smth.: The grannies had no real cause for complaint of the furnishment of the tea table. cause of something—an event, person, or thing that makes smth. happen: It was not surprising to hear that hypertension was the cause of his death.
Difference between Cat’s whisker and Cat’s whiskers
cat’s whisker —(in old-fashioned crystal radios) a wire that makes contact with a semiconductor: Many of these receivers used the “cat’s whisker” type of crystal diode for detection of a radio signal. cat’s whiskers —(coll.) the acme of excellence; a person or thing most highly approved of: My new secretary thinks she is the cat’s […]
Difference between Cat’s paw and Pussyfoot
cat’s paw—a person used as a tool by another to accomplish a purpose, etc.: The eldest son, John, was a cat’s-paw in the financial schemings of the second son, Charles. pussyfoot— 1. a person who avoids committing himself; smb. who proceeds very cautiously: Modesty is not the same as subjection, and a well-bred lad does […]
Difference between Cat’s lick and Cat-lick
cat’s lick—(UK sl.) a brief wash: After having a quick bite, I had a cat’s lick, that’s my short bath and headed off for the hideout. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the compound calf-lick—(also: cowlick) a curl of hair on the forehead which will not lie smoothly: I would imagine that […]
Difference between Catch up on something and Catch up with something
catch up on something—do unfinished work; do things that one has not had time to do until now: Confined to his bed for a whole week, Smith passed the time catching up on his reading. catch up with something—(also: catch up to something ) 1. overtake a bus, etc. by walking fast: Jane caught up […]
Difference between Catch up on someone and Catch up with someone
catch up on someone— 1. overtake and overcome a person: The police caught up on the men just as they entered a dark archway. 2. have a marked effect on smb.: I think his past is beginning to catch up on him. 3. (coll.) learn the news of a person: I’ve had a visit from […]
Difference between Catch someone’s eye and Catch someone’s look
catch someone’s eye—attract a person’s attention: I tried to catch her eye, but she was too engrossed in the book to notice. catch someone’s look—notice smb.’s glance: Howard laughed then stopped as he caught her look of disapproval.
Difference between Catch someone up in something and Catch someone up on something
catch someone up in something—deeply involve a person in smth.; wholly occupy smb.’s attention: The accident caught us all up in the resultant confusion. catch someone up on something—(coll.) tell a person the news of smth.: Oh, please catch me up on what your family is doing.
Difference between Catch someone on the wrong foot and Put a foot wrong
catch someone on the wrong foot—surprise a person when one is not ready or expecting smth.: I’m afraid you rather caught me on the wrong foot, asking for it at such short notice. put a foot wrong—(usually negat.) make the smallest mistake; make a blunder: He complained that if he put a foot wrong, the […]