under water—beneath the surface of the water: “I was flying!” Ben says. “And I could see things under water from the sky like turtles and coral reefs. It was good!” underwater —(attrib.) situated or utilized beneath the surface of the water: The underwater cable allows to fulfill the traffic needs of broad band telecommunications and […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Under the wire vs Under wire
under the wire—just before a deadline; at the last possible moment: Nancy mailed off her application, and it got in just under the wire. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase over the wire—(dated) speaking on the telephone (also: on the wire): The second advertisement shows a Victorianlooking man speaking over […]
Under the daisies vs Under the rose
under the daisies—(euph.) dead and buried: He gradually declined for twelve months, and next harvest-time he was under the daisies. under the rose—in secret; in strict confidence: Any business transacted privately, or under the rose, is said to be done upon the sly.
Under the color of something vs Under the colors of something
under the color of something—under pretext or pretence of smth.: A lot of what this unscrupulous politician writes under the color of truth is nothing but a pack of lies. under the colors of something—supporting a particular cause, movement, or country: Northmour was killed fighting under the colors of Garibaldi for the liberation of the […]
Under the arm vs Under-arm
under the arm— 1. held between the arm and the body: The hat could be worn or carried under the arm at all times except in the presence of the King. 2. (sl.) inferior; of poor quality: I read no matter how bad the book and some are right under the arm. under-arm—(attrib.) 1. that […]
Under one’s arm vs Under one’s hand
under one’s arm—held between the arm and the body: Alfredo wandered about the snow-covered streets with the manuscript of his last tragedy under his arm. under one’s hand—(of a document) authenticated by a person’s signature: Lady Bellasis gained so much on the duke, that he gave her a promise under his hand to marry her. […]
Under heaven vs Under the sky
under heaven— 1. on earth; in the world: You travel for twenty miles over one of the most unfortunate, desolate countries under heaven. 2. is used to emphasize an interrogative sentence: And why under heaven should one write a history of anything—even a tramp dog!—without a sense of humor! under the sky— 1. (also: under […]
Under ground vs Underground
under ground—below the surface of the ground: Attending college while working under ground is not a dream come true, but conductors are well paid. underground—(attrib.) 1. situated or taking place below the surface of the ground: This difference could have been the result of the unaccounted for flow of underground waters into the lake. 2. […]
Under cover vs Undercover
under cover— 1. under a shelter protecting from rain, wind, etc: Monsieur had better come under cover. The “Bosches” are still firing this way. 2. (of police or secret service agents) operating in secret: He worked under cover … in some of the most important theaters of the Cold War. 3. (dated or formal) in […]
Under arms vs Under the gun
under arms—said of people who are armed and prepared for fighting: Japan still had millions of troops under arms and thousands of combat aircraft. under the gun—acting under a lot of pressure: They did a great job, especially working under the gun with only a few months to get it organized and executed. Note: The […]
Uncle Tom vs Uncle Tom Cobley
Uncle Tom—(U.S.) a Black man who defers to white people and regarded as betraying his social loyalty: I know exactly what you think of me. Also, I know all the words, most of them stupid—white nigger, Uncle Tom—as well as you. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase Aunt Tom—(sl.) a […]
Umbrella pine vs Umbrella tree
umbrella pine— 1. (also: stone pine) a species of pine tree (Pinus pinea) with branches at the top spreading like an umbrella: The umbrella pine has been growing here for at least two thousand years. 2. a tall Japanese evergreen conifer tree (Sciadopitus verticillata) with an umbrella-like ring of leaves: The English name “umbrella pine” […]