throw something back at someone— 1. return smth. by throwing it at a person, usually with a hostile intent: When I once threw a radio at him, instead of throwing it back at me he picked it up and started replacing the tubes. 2. remind a person unkindly of the wrong things he has said […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Throw something at someone vs Throw something to someone
throw something at someone— 1. throw smth. so as to hit a person: One of the combatants threw a small paving-stone at his opponent. 2. (of a question, remark, etc.) say in a casual or rather aggressive way: I’m sorry about throwing all these random suggestions at you. throw something to someone—throw smth. so that […]
Throw oneself in something vs Throw oneself on something vs Throw oneself to something
throw oneself in something —(also: throw oneself into something) 1. jump suddenly into the lake, river, etc.: I won’t be throwing myself in the canal over the collapsed deal. 2. engage vigorously in an activity: So he slowly began to pull away, throwing himself in his work in the hopes of making the inevitable separation […]
Throw oneself away on someone vs Throw oneself on someone
throw oneself away on someone—ruin one’s life on behalf of another person (usually a male who doesn’t deserve it): I could forgive her if she hadn’t thrown herself away on such a cheap sort of fellow. throw oneself on someone —(also: throw oneself at someone) 1. physically attack a person: Mulder couldn’t bear the humiliation […]
Throw one’s weight vs Throw one’s weight about
throw one’s weight—(also: swing one’s weight) use one’s influence and personal power to get smth. done, etc.: I was prepared to throw my weight in Cung’s favor. But he mistrusted me and rejected my council. throw one’s weight about—(also: throw one’s weight around) aggressively assert oneself: She was in here the other day, throw ing […]
This is where I came in vs Where do I come in
this is where I came in— 1. this is where I had to do my part: The facilities they have must be maintained and improved, so this is where I came in to help out. 2. my knowledge dates from this point: “Anything else you want to ask me?” “No. This is where I came […]
Third degree vs Third-class degree
third degree— 1. prolonged or hard questioning; use of torture to get confession or information: “You don’t think they’re giving him third degree or anything of that sort?” “My dear fellow, third degree? You’ve been watching too many old movies on the TV.” 2. (U.S. legal) the least serious grade of a particular crime: Maliciously […]
Third class vs Third-rate
third class— 1. (railway carriages) the class next below the second: Ladies traveling alone would never have traveled third class. Even ladies’ maids always traveled second. 2. the lowest honors degree obtained from a British university: Some of my best friends got a third class degree, and they’re amongst the most successful people I know. third-rate—decidedly […]
Think too much about oneself vs Think too much of oneself
think too much about oneself—worry too much over one’s own needs, etc.: What we call unnaturalness always has its spring in a man’s thinking too much about himself. think too much of oneself—have too high an opinion about oneself: They reckoned we thought too much of ourselves, all that education they said, and look what […]
Think of something vs Think over something
think of something—(also: think about something ) 1. concentrate one’s attention on smth.; reflect on smth.: I kept thinking of Spain since that’s where we were supposed to go on tour. 2. regard smth. as having a particular quality or purpose: We still tend to think of computers as powerful calculators, skilled at mathematical processes. […]
Think much about something vs Think much of something
think much about something—have the mind preoccupied with smth.: No one had taught her this, but she was a woman who thought much about God. think much of something— 1. = think much about something: He thought much of the evils of the journey for her, and not a little of the fatigues of his […]
Think better of someone vs Think better of something
think better of someone —(also: think the better of someone) form a higher opinion of a person: Surely no one could think better of Jason for the quoted remarks? think better of something—change one’s mind with regard to smth.: Two years into his residency, Jadali thought better of his decision to become an internist.