blue boys— 1. (coll.) the police: Four blue boys held me while a fifth slipped the cuffs on me. 2. (UK hist.) schoolboys of a charity school who wear blue coats (also: bluecoat boys): The school whose boys were known as “blue boys,” was dissolved in the nineteenth century. boys in blue — = blue […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Blue Book and Project Blue Book
Blue Book— 1. a government publication providing information on some topic: The U.S. Department of State issued a heavily documented 40,000-word Blue Book. 2. a directory of persons of prominence, etc.: The Blue Book of British Broadcasting is a standard reference book of TV and radio stations. 3. a list of rules or requirements: When […]
Difference between Blue Bird and Bluebird
Blue Bird—is used as a symbolical expression of happiness: All these ladies have tried to catch this same Blue Bird. bluebird— 1. any of several birds that have blue feathers: We were fortunate to see such birds as a sky-blue mountain bluebird. 2. (Drug users) a depressant; a blue capsule or tablet containing barbiturate: Here, […]
Difference between Blow someone’s brains out and Blow someone’s mind
blow someone’s brains out—kill smb. by shooting: Smith wouldn’t do anything so supposedly masculine as cold-bloodedly blow someone’s brains out with a shotgun. blow someone’s mind—cause excitement or the state of ecstasy; overwhelm a person: The beauty of the African wildlife parks blew my mind completely during our trip.
Difference between Blow someone away and Blow someone off
blow someone away —(sl.) 1. affect smb. with overwhelming enthusiasm: The whole idea just blew her away. 2. (Underworld) kill a person: The boss said we was to blow you away if you gives us any trouble. blow someone off—(sl.) 1. neglect or ignore a person: Don’t blow me off. Listen! I want it done […]
Difference between Blow one’s boiler and Burst the boiler
blow one’s boiler—(Austral. sl.) lose one’s temper; become very angry: When I saw how much she had spent shopping online, I really blew my boiler. burst the boiler—(U.S. sl.) overexert oneself: A man who is too lavish with his energy may be cautioned not to “burst the boiler.”
Difference between Blow off steam and Blow smoke
blow off steam—(also: let off steam) give vent to one’s anger or frustration (by talking in an unrestrained manner, etc.): Perhaps the best way to blow off steam and get rid of stress is through exercise. blow smoke—speak deceptively; brag or exaggerate: Hopefully they aren’t blowing smoke about how good they are because I’ve invested […]
Difference between Blow it and Blow me
blow it— 1. (sl.) lose or bungle an opportunity, etc.: He’ll probably blow it. He’s beginning to look old. 2. (interj.) used as an oath or expletive to express annoyance: Blow it! I just can’t get this wallpaper straight! Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase blow it out of proportion—make […]
Difference between Blow hot and cold and Go hot and cold
blow hot and cold—keep changing one’s attitude towards smth.: I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath. go hot and cold—suddenly feel very worried and frightened about smth.: I used to go hot and cold about it because I knew what the implications were.
Difference between Blow great guns and Go great guns
blow great guns —(of wind) blow severely: The wind was blowing great guns but there was only the thinnest sprinkle of rain. go great guns —(dated coll.) proceed or perform with great speed, skill, or success: You will then not only go great guns—move steadily forward—but also become big shots—important personages. Cf.: great guns—persons of […]
Difference between Bloody Maria and Bloody Mary
Bloody Maria—a drink consisting of a mixture of tequila and tomato juice: Stir all ingredients well with ice…. For a Bloody Maria just replace the vodka with tequila. Bloody Mary—a drink consisting of a mixture of vodka and tomato juice: A waitress approached the table. “A Virgin Mary…. A Bloody Mary without the vodka.”
Difference between Blood bath and Blood-tub
blood bath—a wholesale slaughter; a massacre: Even today, after the unspeakable horror of the blood bath in Hungary, the betting is still somewhat against a “re–Stalinization.” blood-tub—(sl.) a theater specializing in the worst forms of melodrama: Warrilow points out that more than one theatre in Burslem was affectionately known as the “Blood Tub.”