that will do—that is enough; that will suffice: There’s a lot more to tell about this process but that will do for now. that will never do—is used to say that a situation is wrong and unacceptable: “They served red wine with the chicken.” “Dear me! That will never do!”
Category: Confusing Phrases
That will be the day vs Those were the days
that will be the day— 1. that will be a great day worth waiting for: That will be the day when every class is a place where every child has consistent, quality instruction. 2. (ironic) that’s very unlikely (is used to express doubt following some boast or claim by a person): “He says he’ll do […]
That makes two of us vs Two can play at that game
that makes two of us— 1. is used to say that one is in the same position: She wanted reassurance. That makes two of us, he thought. 2. is used to indicate agreement with what another speaker just said: “I find the Church’s stance in this case absolutely revolting.” “That makes two of us, Chris.” […]
Test someone for something vs Test someone on something
test someone for something—perform a medical check on a person to detect a possible disease, etc.: The doctors tested him for malaria and other illnesses. test someone on something—ask questions to find out how much a person knows about a subject: The teacher tested me on my knowledge of French.
Test bed vs Tester bed
test bed—equipment for testing engines, etc. before their acceptance for general use: Once the engine was finished it was tested on a test bed, outside of the car it would be built into. tester bed—a bed with four corner posts and a canopy: We continued in this suburb three days, during the greatest part of […]
Tent-boy vs Tent-man
tent-boy—a young man whose job it is to have the tent put up and ready: Robert Blake plays a young tent-boy; tent-boy as opposed to house-boy since through half the movie the main characters were part of a caravan. tent-man— 1. a tent-dweller; a person who lives or lodges in a tent: I must admit […]
Tend something vs Tend to something
tend something—give care and attention to smth., especially smth. that needs constant supervision: He faithfully tended his garden all summer long. tend to something— 1. (also: attend to something ) take care of smth.; deal with smth.: “I thought I heard you talking,” she said as she tended to the fire. 2. be generally inclined […]
Ten Thousand Islands vs Thirty Thousand Islands vs Thousand Islands
Ten Thousand Islands—islands that lie off the southwest coast of Florida, USA: Marco Island is the largest of the socalled Ten Thousand Islands … that stretch from Naples down to the southern tip of the Florida mainland. Thirty Thousand Islands—islands that lie on the east side of Georgian Bay, Ontario (Canada): Georgian Bay Islands National Park is […]
Tell tales vs Tell the tale
tell tales— 1. tell about smb. who has done smth. wrong; inform upon a person: Teachers hate children who tell tales about their friends. 2. give away private information to outsiders: You’ve no business to know that. Somebody’s been telling tales. 3. tell a made-up story with the object of deceiving or arousing sympathy: David’s […]
Television serial vs Television series
television serial—a story on television which appears in parts (usually at regular times): The novel has recently been dramatized as a television serial. television series—a set of television programs, each complete in itself, that deal with the same subject: He is the co-author of the popular television series “Yes, Minister.”
Telephone girl vs Telephone man
telephone girl—an operator in a telephone exchange: The telephone girl sits on her high stool as she produces alternate order and chaos at her switchboard. telephone man—telephone mechanic: Common usage among telephone men has led to the classification of telephone service as follows: local, suburban, toll and long distance.
Tear something down vs Tear something up
tear something down— 1. dismantle or demolish smth.: The old theater is to be torn down and replaced by offices. 2. remove smth. by pulling down roughly: Even doors, fences, and planks from the wooden houses were torn down to serve as fuel. 3. (of a machine, etc.) take to pieces: We shall have to […]