worth while—(predic.) worthy of the time or effort spent (also: worth one’s while): We had to wait for the food but the wait was worth while as the food was exceptional! worthwhile —(attrib.) said of smth. of sufficient value or importance: The report suggests that patient education regarding the side effects of drugs is a […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Working paper vs Working papers
working paper—a paper produced as a basis for discussion rather than as a final statement: The Government published a working paper which set out some possibilities. working papers—official documents legalizing the employment of a person not yet legally of age: Before being employed the boy had to produce his working papers.
Working man vs Workman
working man—a man who has a job in industry; member of the working class: Greyhound racing is sometimes said to be the working man’s substitute for horse racing. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase working girl— 1. said of a girl, usually single, who supports herself by working in an […]
Worker bee vs Working bee
worker bee— 1. sterile bee specialized to collect food and maintain the hive: Only one queen bee is the mother of all worker bees and drones in a beehive. 2. said of a hard working person: All those handmade items make it so cozy and inviting. You are a real worker bee. working bee— 1. […]
Work something in with something vs Work something into something
work something in with something—make smth. such as a schedule, etc. fit or harmonize with smth.: I’m motivated to work out and feel better, I just don’t know how to work it in with everything else I have to do. work something into something— 1. force smth. into smth. else by gradual movement: He was […]
Work oneself up into something vs Work oneself up to something
work oneself up into something—bring oneself into a highly emotional state: It would be foolish, even dangerous to work oneself up into a frenzy. work oneself up to something— 1. = work oneself up into something: He would gradually work himself up to a state of intense agitation in which he screamed and berated me. […]
Work off one’s ticket vs Work one’s ticket
work off one’s ticket— 1. earn one’s passage by services on board ship, etc.: After an ancestor landed in Philly in 1679 as an indentured servant and worked off his ticket, he headed west … to present day Ohio. 2. pay off one’s fine for traffic violation by working: When motorcycle cop pulls over leatherclad […]
Work load vs Working load
work load—the amount of work assigned for completion within a certain time: Traffic growth has increased the pressure on both pilots and controllers, so that means have had to be found to reduce their workload. working load—the maximum physical load that a device is designed to bear: Minor changes in the boom angle can lead […]
Work like a beaver vs Work like a dog
work like a beaver—work eagerly and vigorously: We woke up late and then had to work like beavers to get our cases packed before the train left. work like a dog —(also: work like a horse) work very hard: I’ve been working like a dog all day, and I’m dead tired.
Work in with someone vs Work with someone
work in with someone—join in work with other people: I’m prepared to work in with them and fit in with their work schedule. work with someone— 1. work in the company of other people: Independent doesn’t mean “loner,” so he should be able to work with the other members of the department. 2. have a […]
Work at something vs Work on something
work at something—be busy or occupied with smth.; apply one’s efforts to smth.: Is Tom still working at the new book that he promised? work on something— 1. = work at something: I’m presently working on the new book, another suspense novel, after which I plan to write a book for aspiring writers. 2. influence […]
Word by word vs Word for word
word by word—reading one word after another; following the exact order of words: Skip-read all you want through the book, but go through the last page word by word. word for word—stated or translated in exactly the same words as the original: You need not use quotation marks unless the statement is word-for-word as it […]