table a motion (UK)—place a proposal on the agenda: At last night’s meeting the Board of Trustees voted to table a motion to approve our contract extension. table a motion (U.S.)—remove a proposal from consideration; suspend debate until another time: When we had only five minutes left before we had to adjourn, Matt moved to […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Symbol for something and Symbol of something
symbol for something—a sign or letter used in place of an item in writing: CS is an Army chemical symbol for an agent that causes burning and watering of the eyes. symbol of something—an object used to represent smth. not by exact resemblance, but because it is very typical of the latter: Picasso painted a […]
Difference between Swiss mountain pine and Swiss pine
Swiss mountain pine—a low pyramidal tree of central Europe: The Swiss mountain pine (Pinus mugo) is best known to many Americans in its dwarf variety, the mugho pine (Pinus mugo mughus). Swiss pine —(also: Swiss stone pine) a tall Eurasian pine (Pinus cembra): A pine tree is estimated to live for 1200 years, and the […]
Difference between Swing man and Swing voter
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 […]
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 […]