white negro— 1. a person with black ancestry who has a pale or albino complexion: He was one of that peculiar class called Albinos, or white negroes. 2. (U.S. dated sl., derog.) a white who defends the rights or interests of Black people: Both Clarksons were counted among the activists whom Pitt in a rare […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
White marriage vs White wedding
white marriage—a marriage union without sexual relations: Maybe I should have written that the union of Bill Paxon and Susan Molinari was rumored to be a “white marriage.” white wedding— 1. used with reference to the white color of the wedding dress symbolizing purity and innocence: Mine was a white wedding too. In fact, my […]
White girl vs white lady
white girl—(U.S. Drug users) cocaine: When she gets to college and doesn’t fit in with either white or black students, she turns instead to the cocaine (nicknamed White Girl). white lady— 1. cocktail made of gin, orange liqueur and lemon juice: He indicated a cocktail cabinet and proceeded to mix two “White Ladies.” 2. (Austral. […]
White foot vs White leg
white foot—(pl. whitefoots) a white-footed mouse of the genus Peromyscus: “Whitefoots” are active all year round, even in cold weather. Their activities begin at dusk and continue through the night. white leg—(med.) thrombophlebitis of a femoral vein after child-birth: After our May was born she never walked properly again. She had what they called the […]
White cap vs White hat
white cap— 1. (pl.) white foam on the crests of waves (in stormy weather): We had a strong head wind … the surface of the lake was covered with white-caps. 2. name for several birds having a white patch on the head: The male [Redstart] is called “whitecap” in Shropshire, from its white forehead. 3. […]
White boy vs White man
white boy—(U.S. Drug users) heroin: Then there are the white boy drug dealers in the suburbs…. I know that only a small percentage of people is dangerous, but it’s best to be on the safe side. white man —(dated) said of a good and righteous man back in the colonization days: “Is it a marriage […]
White as a sheet vs White as snow
white as a sheet—very pale, usually because of illness, shock or fear: He must have done a pretty good imitation of a gangster because the guy’s face turned white as a sheet. white as snow—is said of very pure white color: Anne walked with him to the house up the brook, over a field that […]
Whistle down the wind vs Whistle up the wind
whistle down the wind— 1. talk purposelessly: I know I’m trying to whistle down the wind here. But the technology is likely to arrive sometime in the next century. 2. abandon or sacrifice a person or thing: I was dragged out of the Senate, against my wishes—tried to do my whole duty, and was then […]
Whipping boy vs Whipping Tom
whipping boy— 1. (UK hist.) a boy educated with a prince and punished in his stead: Sir Mungo had been attached to Court in the capacity of whipping-boy to King James the Sixth. 2. a scapegoat: The choice of agents is a difficult matter for you have to choose persons for whose faults you are […]
Whip one’s weight in wild cats vs Whip the cat
whip one’s weight in wild cats—(U.S. sl.) be able to fight vigorously; defeat a powerful opponent: I was to get acquainted with Alta Ashbury, win her confidence, let her feel that I was capable of whipping my weight in wild cats. whip the cat—(sl.) 1. (U.S. dated) work as an itinerant tailor, carpenter, etc.: The […]
When the band begins to play vs When the fat lady sings
when the band begins to play —(coll.) when matters become very serious or critical: …they are supplied with the best of weapons. Naturally only the best is good enough when the band begins to play. when the fat lady sings—(U.S. sl.) when smth. is finally concluded; at the end of a match, performance, etc.: We […]
When the balloon goes up vs When the eagle flies
when the balloon goes up —(coll.) when matters become very serious or critical: The international rules of war are apt to be waived when the balloon goes up. when the eagle flies—(U.S. sl.) on payday: I’ll pay you back when the eagle flies. Cf.: eagle has landed, the—(U.S. sl.) paychecks are in: The principal got […]