turn a trick —(sl.) 1. have casual sexual relations, especially for money: Some of the young prostitutes live at home and turn tricks merely for pocket money. 2. (Underworld) commit a successful robbery: Campbell’s claim was that he hadn’t turned a trick in a year but the money had to be coming from somewhere. turn […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Tug at something vs Tug something
tug at something—pull hard at smth. such as a rope: Don’t tug at the leash or become impatient…. Your cat will be compelled to cooperate by your calm steadfastness. tug something—move smth. by pulling or dragging forcibly: Navigation is difficult with sand shoals; boatmen wade waist deep for more than an hour tugging the boat.
Tudor flower vs Tudor rose
Tudor flower—an upright stalked trefoil ornament in architectural decoration of the Tudor period: The pulpit carved with Tudor flower and vines dates from about 1460. It is one of about 60 mediaeval stone pulpits which remain in England. Tudor rose—a conventional figure of a rose in architectural decoration of the Tudor period: This form of decoration […]
Try one’s hand vs Try one’s wings
try one’s hand—attempt to do smth. unfamiliar: I’m new at this, and just wanted to try my hand. try one’s wings—try out a recently acquired ability: Marjorie just had her twelfth French lesson and wants to try her wings by speaking with our visitors.
Try doing something vs Try to do something
try doing something—do smth. as a test to see whether it is satisfactory: If you can, try sleeping on your back, it will eliminate some of the additional pressure placed on the jaw. try to do something—make an attempt at smth. (especially without much expectation of success): The police is still seeking for the people […]
Trust someone for something vs Trust someone with something
trust someone for something—allow credit for smth. such as goods to a customer: Can you trust me for a packet of cigarettes until Friday. trust someone with something—give a person the care of smth. with complete confidence: I’ve trusted him with everything I have—money, house, horses.
Trust in something vs Trust to something
trust in something—have faith or confidence in smth.: We felt that we could trust in his wide experience. trust to something—act in dependence on smth.; rely on smth.: I don’t know if it will work, but I’ll just trust to luck. Note: Neither expression is equivalent in meaning to the phrase trust something— 1. believe […]
Trust in someone vs Trust to someone
trust in someone—have faith or confidence in a person: I slowly found myself able again to hope and trust in the human race. trust to someone—act in dependence on a person; rely on smb.: The people of England are discovering that it is no good trusting to the old politicians. Note: Neither expression is equivalent […]
Trouble someone about something vs Trouble someone for something vs Trouble someone with something
trouble someone about something—bother a person concerning smth.: I am sorry to keep troubling you about that letter, but until it is found I cannot answer it. trouble someone for something—put a person to the inconvenience of doing or giving smth.: Could I trouble you for the newspaper, please? trouble someone with something—worry smb. by […]
Trouble oneself about something vs Trouble oneself with something
trouble oneself about something —(also: trouble about something) worry about smth.; be concerned about smth.: If you trouble yourself about every little thing that goes wrong, you will never have any peace of mind. trouble oneself with something —(also: trouble with something) be involved with smth.; preoccupy oneself with smth.: I have a good breakfast […]
Trouble man vs Trouble-maker
trouble man—(U.S.) a workman employed to locate causes of problem and to make needed repairs: “Troubleman” McCarley located the difficulty, and repair crews worked until morning restoring service. trouble-maker—a person that ferments strife and disagreement: My brother was a troublemaker and now they’re taking it out on me.
Tremble at something vs Tremble with something
tremble at something—regard smth. with fear: To depart from Fashion in a Fashion-Book is so shocking a thing that we tremble at the very idea of it. tremble with something—shiver because of fear, cold, etc.: The children waited outside the school, trembling with cold.