travel over the land—pass through many parts of the country: At the time of the alleged events described in the gospels, scores of preachers traveled over the land of Israel. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase travel all over the land—pass through or visit every part of the country: To […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Transported by something vs Transported with something
transported by something —(of goods or people) carried from one place to another by a car, train, etc.: Field artillery has also been transported by sleighs, as in Canada. transported with something —(liter.) overcome with some strong emotion: On hearing of the victory, the nation was transported with joy.
Transit man vs Transit passenger
transit man—(U.S.) a surveyor who uses a transit-theodolite for the measurement of land areas: Continuous labor in solitary wilderness as surveyor or transit-man, is a totally different thing from taking a trip across the continent. transit passenger—a passenger making a brief stop at an airport, etc. in transit to another destination: For the transit passenger […]
Trample someone under foot vs Walk all over someone
trample someone under foot—oppress or subdue a person; treat smb. harshly or ruthlessly: We loan them a degree of power, we do not grant them the right to trample us underfoot as they are doing. walk all over someone— 1. make smb. do whatever one wishes; take advantage of a person: Ashley was a hopeless […]
Training college vs Training school
training college—(UK) a college for the training of teachers: How vitally important a good pupil-teacher relationship had been considered at my training college. training school— 1. a school preparing students for a particular occupation: The majority of nursery training schools do not make any hard-and-fast rule regarding the work which their trainees should take over. […]
Trade something for something vs Trade something in for something
trade something for something—give one thing in exchange for another, in place of money: The cargo consisted of textiles and antiquated firearms. These were traded on the coast for slaves, who were shipped to America. trade something in for something—give smth. in part payment for smth. else (usually another article of the same kind): You […]
Trade in something vs Trade on something
trade in something—buy and sell a particular commodity: The company of merchants included both general dealers and such as traded in only one kind of wares. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase trade something in—give a used thing as part payment for a new one: You trade in your car […]
Toy boy vs Toy man
toy boy—(sl., also: boy toy) a woman’s very young lover: At 48 she is like a teenage girl again—raving it up with four different lovers including a toy boy of 27. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the compound playboy—a rich man who spends most of his time enjoying himself in expensive […]
Touring car vs Tourist car
touring car—an open automobile with a folding top: Mac and Jim circled the buildings and went to the ancient Ford touring car. tourist car— 1. a (rented) car used by tourists: An early start on all itineraries can avoid most tourist cars, tour busses, and crowds. 2. a railway car equipped with less comfortable sleeping […]
Tough nut to crack vs Tough row to hoe
tough nut to crack—(also: hard nut to crack) 1. a difficult person to deal with: Meggie was going to be a tough nut to crack and he couldn’t afford to frighten her. 2. a difficult problem or task to undertake: Getting them all here on time will be a tough nut to crack. tough row to […]
Tough cookie vs Tough cookies
tough cookie —(sl.) an unyielding person who is difficult to deal with: He’s a real tough cookie and you know it. tough cookies —(sl., parenthetical) too bad; very unfortunate (also: tough bananas): If you give the wrong answer, well, tough cookies, you have to move backward.
Touch something vs Touch upon something
touch something— 1. put the hand or finger upon smth. so as to feel it: As his hand touched the surface of the mirror, it rippled like the water in a pond. He drew his hand back, startled. 2. (cause to) be in contact with smth.: Scientific information on the Martian atmosphere was gathered even before […]