swing man— 1. a musician who plays jazz with a swing—a style with a flowing but strongly compelling rhythm: The best alto player among the swingmen was Johnny Hodges. 2. (U.S.) the mounted herdsman who keeps a moving herd of cattle in order: The herd trailed along behind the leaders … guarded by outriders, known […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Swing both ways and Swing either way
swing both ways—(sl.) have both homosexual and heterosexual tastes (also: plug in both ways): Rumor has it that their lead singer swings both ways. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase door swings both ways, the—(U.S.) the same principle applies in both cases (usually used to attack hypocritical actions): As Howard […]
Difference between Swim with the fishes and Swim with the sharks
swim with the fishes—(Underworld) be murdered and have the body disposed of, often in a body of water (also: sleep with the fishes): Most people have a family member who is connected to organized crime or “swims with the fishes” because of their connections. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase […]
Difference between Swim like a duck and Swim like a tailor’s goose
swim like a duck —(also: swim like a fish) be a good swimmer: Molly could swim like a duck, and quite covered herself with glory by diving off the pier. swim like a tailor’s goose—be unable to swim: If he attempted to swim, it would be like a tailor’s goose, straight to the bottom.
Difference between Swell-head and Thick-head
swell-head—(coll.) 1. self-conceit: Lord, but young Gourlay was the fine fellow! Symptoms of swell-head set in with alarming rapidity. 2. a conceited person: As for the present directory, they’re all a pack of damned swell-heads. thick-head—(coll.) smb. who is dull of intellect: I wasn’t very good at school and left supremely unqualified for anything and […]
Difference between Sweeten the pill and Sweeten the pot
sweeten the pill —(also: sugar the pill) make smth. bad seem less unpleasant: The government have cut income tax to sweeten the pill of a tough budget. sweeten the pot—(also: sweeten the kitty) make smth. more attractive, especially financially: Reviving the village’s cooperative will sweeten the pot, and encourage more women to become involved.
Difference between Sweet as a nut and Sweet as pie
sweet as a nut— 1. (coll.) said of smth. very tasty: The cabbage itself when it is taken out of the leaves is as white as milk, and as sweet as a nut if eaten raw. 2. (UK sl.) quite satisfactory; perfectly OK (used as a general term of approval): I treated it [car] to […]
Sweet and sour meat vs Sweet meat
sweet and sour meat—meat cooked with sugar and vinegar or lemon juice: The sweet-and-sour meat appeared to have more than its fair share of fat and gristle. sweet meat—an article of confectionery; a fruit preserved with sugar: This is a kind of sweet meat made of a soft marshmallow jelly coated with pink sugar and […]
Difference between Sweep clear for something and Sweep clear of something
sweep clear for something—make room for smth.: Chances are, important items will go missing when the table is swept clear for dinner. Instead, decide what to do with each piece of paper… sweep clear of something—(also: steer clear of something ) stay away from smth.; avoid smth.: We jump in and pull out only a […]
Difference between Sweat it out and Sweat one’s guts out
sweat it out—(sl.) endure smth. unpleasant till it ends; await smth. anxiously: Mr. Khrushchev is just sweating it out for an announcement of a manned flight in orbit. Cf.: don’t sweat it—(U.S. sl.) don’t worry about it: Joe Trippi suggests the best solution: don’t sweat it. Just do what needs to be done now in […]
Difference between Swear on a stack of Bibles and Swear on the Bible
swear on a stack of Bibles—promise solemnly that what one says is true: Your telephone company will swear on a stack of Bibles that nothing will disrupt service to you, the valued customer. swear on the Bible— 1. place one’s hand on the Bible in a court of law pledging to tell the truth: A […]
Difference between Swear at something and Swear on something
swear at something—curse smth.: The accident was holding up traffic heading for a major football event, and he could hear people swearing at the delay. swear on something— 1. (also: swear by something ) call smth. held holy as witness to the truth of what one says: I swear on my soul that this really […]