blind auction—an auction in which all parties submit sealed bids by a given date: The U.S. government sells surplus equipment and confiscated goods at blind auctions on several military posts. blind bidding—(Cinema) putting in a bid for the rental of a picture without the opportunity to see a preview: Movie theater owners had to accept […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Blank check and Blank sheet
blank check—freedom to choose whatever course of action one thinks is necessary: The coach was given a blank check by the university to try and improve the team. blank sheet—(also: clean sheet) 1. a fresh start when people decide to forget about previous mistakes, failures, etc.: Managers should start with a blank sheet regardless of […]
Difference between Black sheep and Black swan
black sheep—smb. who is very different from the other people in the group and is considered a bad character: Every privileged class tries at first to whitewash its black sheep. black swan —(also: white crow) said of a person or thing that is extremely rare: After all, he may not be such a black swan […]
Difference between “Black Republic, the” and “Black Republicans”
Black Republic, the—Haiti (a West Indian State): My subject is Haiti, the Black Republic; the only self-made Black Republic in the world. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase Black Country, the—(UK) a highly industrialized region of west-central England centered on Birmingham: It is believed that the Black Country got its […]
Difference between Black money and White money
black money— 1. money not declared for tax purposes (by casino operators, etc.): Erlich has also promised an amnesty for those who reveal their black money and pay a tax on it. 2. money paid to workman handling dirty materials or working in dirty conditions: When any class of work involves special unpleasantness, “black money” […]
Difference between Black market and Gray market
black market—an illegal market in which goods or currencies are bought and sold in violation of price controls, rationing, etc.: Drugs are sold at the black market and they can do much more damage than cigarettes can in most cases. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase white sale—a sale at […]
Difference between Black-leg and Blackfoot
black-leg— 1. (UK coll.) a non-union workman; a strikebreaker: The police were used to protect the blacklegs, as those are called who work outside the Union movement. 2. (coll.) a professional gambler, especially a cheating one: You see noblemen and black-legs bawling and betting in the Cockpit. 3. a disease in cattle, caused by the […]
Difference between Black ivory and Ivory black
black ivory—(hist.) Black African slaves viewed as a commodity: Help them to make money otherwise than by dealing in black ivory, and we shall see the slave trade extirpated. ivory black—a black pigment from calcined ivory: Ivory black is ivory or bones thoroughly burnt, and afterwards ground.
Difference between Black hole and Black hole of Calcutta
black hole—said of a situation when money or resource disappear and are not expected to be recovered (originally of a region of space from which nothing can escape, even light): What steps are industrial companies taking to dig their way out this financial black hole? black hole of Calcutta—a place that is small, dark, and […]
Difference between Black eye and Blackeye
black eye— 1. a darkening of the skin about the eye resulting from a bruise: I thought they’d have a row. Hadn’t Michael a black eye? 2. a severe blow or rebuff: I hope the Pension Committee will give a black eye to every bill of that kind. blackeye—a sprawling herb (Vigua sinensis) cultivated for […]
Difference between Black-collar workers adn White-collar workers
black-collar workers— 1. miners (especially coal miners) and oil workers: He began performing in the smoky gin mills that catered to black-collar workers who liked their booze and blues straight. 2. (sl.) people engaged in media industries (artists, graphic designers, video producers, etc.): Black-collar workers, for those of you that aren’t cool enough to know, […]
Difference between Black cap and Black hat
black cap— 1. a warbler: We followed a pleasant path through trees and soon found ourselves listening to the sweet bubbling song of a black cap. 2. (UK hist.) a cap put on by a judge before sentencing a person to death: He acquitted two men and then placed the black cap on his head […]