to date—so far; until now: One hundred and fifty letters were sent out regarding membership renewals, with forty responses to date. up to date—in accordance with current fashion, technology, etc.: The need to be up to date might not have been the least of our driving forces for general progress.
Category: Confusing Phrases
To a point vs To the point
to a point— 1. (also: to a fine point) thoroughly; completely: The idea is clear to a point: it is irrational to object to death, since we do not object to pre-natal nonexistence. 2. (also: up to a point) to a certain extent but not absolutely: To a point this is the sort of gamesmanship […]
Tired from something vs Tired of something
tired from something—physically tired; exhausted by smth.: Walter now plonked himself, tired from his walk, on the sofa. tired of something —(also: tired with something ) bored or mentally exhausted with smth.: This law limited any raising of property taxes, the people being tired of constant increases.
Tip someone vs Tip someone off
tip someone—give a gift of money to a waiter, porter, etc.: He ordered another beer, tipped the bartender five dollars on a five dollar beer, and went out. tip someone off—provide a person with privileged or secret information likely to bring useful results: A friend tipped me off on a great gift for my son’s […]
Time service vs Time-serving
time service— 1. determination of the precise time as the work of an astronomical observatory: The time-service has also occupied part of the energy of the observatory. 2. shaping one’s behavior so as to please one’s superiors or to fit the dominant pattern of one’s times: This freedom from time-service gives a dignity to Heywood’s […]
Time fire vs Timed fire
time fire—artillery fire in which the projectile is intended to burst in air: Griffith told me to fire some hand grenades, which went off three or four feet above the trench and had the effect of artillery time fire. timed fire—target firing in which a given number of rounds are fired within a particular time […]
Tilt board vs Tilting board
tilt board—an apparatus for testing perception of bodily position by rotating a blindfolded person: The subjects stood on the tiltboard with lower-extremity support and were asked to maintain a balanced position on the board. tilting board—(U.S.) a long plank set on a center mount for use in the game of seesaw: The outdoor toy called […]
Till the cows come home vs Till the fat lady sings
till the cows come home—do smth. continually for a very long time: She likes to watch cartoons very much, she can sit before the TV and watch it till the cows come home. till the fat lady sings—(U.S. sl.) till the end of smth.; until smth. is finally concluded (also: till the last dog is […]
Tight on someone vs Tight with someone
tight on someone— 1. (of garments) fitting too closely; being too small for a person: The Navy’s largest dungaree shirt was tight on him, and he popped the buttons off when he expanded his chest. 2. (Sport) striving to limit the opponent’s options and freedom of movement: Chiasson … just fires the puck every time […]
Tight for money vs Tight with money
tight for money—having insufficient money: My father didn’t know what to do; he’d only just started on his own, so he was tight for money as well. tight with money—unwilling to spend money: I don’t think he is a liberal. He’s tight with his money, and he wants to see the poor work for their […]
Tie someone down to something vs Tie someone up with something
tie someone down to something—restrict a person to the terms of an agreement, etc.: If he tries to cheat, we must tie him down to his contract. tie someone up with something— 1. connect or associate a person with smth.: Isn’t this company closely tied up with the continental industry? 2. fully involve a person […]
Tie someone down vs Tie someone up
tie someone down—restrict smb.’s freedom; encumber a person: I don’t want to tie you down, but you do have responsibilities here at home. tie someone up— 1. bind a person with rope, string, etc.: The thieves left the old man tied up in the bedroom. 2. keep a person very busy: Writing this article should […]