weak as a cat—(also: weak as a kitten) lacking in physical strength: He must have been as weak as a kitten, with all the blood he’d lost. weak as water —(also: weak as dishwater) 1. = weak as a cat: Sir, I am only just getting well of a fever, and I am as weak […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Way to go Einstein vs Way to go Grace
way to go Einstein—(sarcastic) is used to tell a person he made a mistake or is not very smart: In all of the excitement, he ran a red light, barely avoiding an accident. “Way to go, Einstein!” a voice from the back seat exclaimed. way to go Grace—(sarcastic) is used to tell a person he or […]
Way off vs Way out
way off— 1. far away: I am going somewhere; but I don’t know where. Way off, anyhow. 2. quite wrong; greatly mistaken: My attitude indications on the instrument panel are way off. way out— 1. = way off 1: After a prolonged journey by bus, Clarissa alighted way out on the North Circular Road. 2. […]
Way below something vs Way down something
way below something—much lower than smth.: By slashing its retail prices way below cost, Wal-Mart can crush our groceries, pharmacies, and other retailers. way down something—at a great distance along the length of smth.: He saw a headlight of an eastbound train appear way down the tracks.
Way back vs Way behind
way back— 1. far from the front part of smth.: I noticed a faded whiskey box way back under the stairs. 2. in a remote rural area; far away: Blackall was much the same as any other township “way back.” 3. a long time ago: We do not know who first brought Christianity to this […]
Water house vs Watering house
water house—a building in which water is retained in a reservoir: They have no water but what is forced from a deep well into a waterhouse, whence they are furnished by pipes. watering house—(UK hist.) a pub providing water for horses and refreshments for travelers: Travelers would stop at these “watering houses” to quench their […]
Water hole vs Watering hole
water hole—a pond or pool in a dry area: In many locations in Namibia, one simply waits by a water hole to photograph the never ending parade of animals. watering hole— 1. = water hole: Appoint a place for washing clothes clear of the watering hole. 2. (joc.) a licensed cafe or pub: The restaurant […]
Water boatman vs Water-man
water boatman—a water-bug (Notonecta glauca), whose body resembles a boat: The water boatman, an insect related to the Cimicidae, made me suffer still more severely. water-man— 1. a man who rows or lends out small boats for pay: A coachman, postboy, or waterman, generally expects some grace from the passengers, over and above his fare. […]
Water boat vs Water craft
water boat—(hist.) a boat carrying fresh water to ships: He built some water boats and, by these boats furnished the garrison with good water. water craft—a boat or boats: The object lying upon the table was a ten-foot model of a strange-looking water craft.
Watch the clock vs Watch the time
watch the clock— 1. keep one’s eye on the clock to avoid being late, etc.: They work under the beady eye of their crew chief, who monitors their progress and constantly watches the clock, counting the minutes. 2. (also: clock-watch) keep one’s eye on the clock waiting for the end of one’s work day (used showing […]
Watch for something vs Watch out for something
watch for something—wait for smth. that’s going to happen or expected to appear: Watch for our new improved product, which will be on the market next week. watch out for something—(also: look out for something ) 1. be on guard for smth. dangerous or undesirable: I’m always watching out for mistakes that I may have […]
Waste water vs Wasted water
waste water—water that has been used in some industrial process: The liquefaction process could give off up to 4.8 million gallons of wastewater per day. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase waste of water— 1. (also: waste of waters) a vast expanse of water: It seemed to her that her […]