belong in something—(also: belong with something ) be in the correct place or situation: This kind of picture does not belong in a teenage magazine. belong to something—be a member of a group, party, etc.: A judge who belongs to a club that excludes women may have difficulty ruling on cases of sex discrimination.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Belly up to the bar and Go belly up
belly up to the bar—(U.S. sl.) 1. go up to the bar to order a drink, etc.: It will be a great place to belly up to the bar, or just mingle before the shows. 2. get seriously involved; make a serious effort: There was hope for solving the crisis but it was time for […]
Difference between Bell boy and Bell buoy
bell boy—an employee in a hotel who helps guests by carrying their luggage, running errands, etc.: Led by a “bell-boy” into the lift, she walked along a pale-gray river of corridor carpet. bell buoy—a floating buoy with a bell that gives a warning or positional signal to ships: You may hear the ringing bell buoy […]
Difference between Believe in something and Believe something
believe in something— 1. have trust in smth.; feel sure of the value of smth.: The United States believes in the great potential of Africa. 2. feel sure of the existence of smth.: Clever farmers made good use of the belief of these people who believed in ghosts. believe something—feel sure of the truth of […]
Difference between Behind the veil and Under the veil
behind the veil —(also: beyond the veil) is used with reference to the next world: He [Christ] described the world behind the veil with the graphic force of one to whom it was no unknown country. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase behind the scenes—out of public view; in secret: […]
Difference between Behind the times and Behind time
behind the times— 1. (of things) old-fashioned or out of date: The science books of twenty years ago are behind the times now. 2. (of people) using things not in style; following old ways: Mary thinks her parents are behind the times because they still do the foxtrot. behind time— 1. (of a clock) slow; […]
Difference between Behind one’s time and Past one’s time
behind one’s time— 1. after the usual or proper time: Master Gammon was half an hour behind his time for bed, and had dropped asleep in his chair. 2. using things not in style; following old ways: I started to think that either Ben had been so ahead of his time when he first came […]
Difference between Before Christ and Before God
before Christ—(abbreviated B.C.) before the Christian era (of a date calculated backwards from the birth of Christ): Morrison mentions a dictionary in the Chinese language as having been compiled 1100 years before Christ. before God—(used as a solemn declaration) as God sees me; as God is my witness: “I will bring up your son as […]
Difference between Beefeater and Meat eater
Beefeater—(UK) 1. one of the Warders of the Tower of London: The Beefeaters at the Tower wear the costume of Henry VIIth’s body-guard. 2. an officer in the (ceremonial) bodyguard of the British monarch: In order to become a Beefeater, you must have an unblemished conduct record. meat eater—(U.S. sl.) a corrupt policeman: Meat eaters […]
Difference between Beef-tea and Meat tea
beef-tea—juice of beef strained off after cooking in water (given as stimulating food to people who are ill): Miss Lawson tiptoed into the room, carrying a cup of beef-tea. meat tea —(also: meat-tea) a meal taken between lunch and supper with some kind of meat dish included: This high occasion was to be celebrated by […]
Difference between Beef head (UK) and Beef head (U.S.)
beef head (UK)—(sl.) a slow witted person: You may look all hot and sexy, but with that attitude you’ll only end up with a beef head of a partner. beef head (U.S.)—(sl.) a resident of Texas: A resident of Texas was called a “Beef-Head” by at least 1869. The name is related to Texas’s famous […]
Difference between Bed of roses and Rose bed
bed of roses —(usually negat.) said of a pleasant, easy condition of life: Post war Hungary was no bed of roses. Political oppression permeated every facet of life…. Cf.: bed of thorns—said of a situation of anxiety and apprehension: It was a bed of thorns every hour of every day all through the making of […]