street legal car—a certified roadworthy car (typically used of an unlikely looking car): For a street legal car you need to know the laws that govern automobiles, such as bumper height and light requirements. streetcar—(U.S.) a public passenger vehicle that runs on metal rails (also: trolley car): Plans have been drafted to replace the large […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Straws in the wind and Throw straws against the wind
straws in the wind—slight hints that show which way things may develop: There have been other things, straws in the wind, maybe, which give reason to think that contemporary standards are in a process of decline. throw straws against the wind —(also: spit against the wind) engage in futile action or fruitless effort: You will […]
Difference between Straw boss and Straw man
straw boss—a helper for a boss; an assistant foreman: I was a straw boss. I worked at it a while but I never cared for it. I did not have any power to hire or fire. straw man —(also: man of straw) 1. a respectable man who serves as a cover for a questionable enterprise […]
Difference between Straight off and Straight out
straight off—(also: straight away) at once; without delay: The butler went straight off to Granny, and gave her notice; and she actually raised his wages, and prayed him to stop. straight out—frankly; without reservation: I always know if he’s worried but he never tells me the details straight out. It sometimes slips out in conversation […]
Difference between Straight drink and Straight drinking
straight drink—(of strong liquor) consumed neat or undiluted: This tequila is fast becoming very popular because it is both a superb mixer and a “straight” drink. straight drinking—heavy drinking unhindered by dancing, entertainment, etc.: If you’re up for straight drinking, go to an izakaya, usually explained as a Japanese pub.
Difference between Straight as a poker and Straight as an arrow
straight as a poker —(of posture) rigid; erect (also: stiff as a poker): He didn’t look a broken-down old man either: straight as a poker, and life enough in him yet. straight as an arrow— 1. following a straight line: You won’t get lost if you keep to the track. It’s as straight as an […]
Difference between Straight actor and Straight man
straight actor—an actor performing in theatrical productions of the ordinary type (as opposed to a “character actor” performing in comedies, etc.): The character-actors have no doubt an easier task than the “straight” actors. straight man— 1. an actor who makes remarks or creates situations for the main performer to make jokes about: In vaudeville and burlesque […]
Difference between Storm petrel and Stormy petrel
storm petrel—any of various small sea birds of the family Hydrobatidae of the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean: As for birds, the colonies of yellow-legged gull and the nesting of the storm petrel are worth mentioning. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase storm bird— 1. Common Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) a […]
Difference between Stop someone’s breath and Take someone’s breath away
stop someone’s breath—affect smb. by a sudden strong emotion such as fear, etc.: Even in the dusk, the look on Sam’s face was enough to stop her breath. take someone’s breath away—inspire a person with utter delight: The thought of practicing on that splendid instrument quite took her breath away.
Stop one’s clock vs Stop someone’s clock vs Stop the clock
stop one’s clock—(Chess) press one’s chess clock to measure time: The last move is not considered as made until after the player has stopped his clock. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase one’s biological clock is ticking—used of a woman who may soon be too old to bear a child: […]
Stop doing something vs Stop to do something
stop doing something—cease or give up doing smth.: The teachers had stopped attending to pupils who would certainly pass or certainly fail. stop to do something—pause in order to do smth.: He stopped to watch a half-dozen of the boys playing blackjack.
Stop and smell the roses vs Wake up and smell the coffee
stop and smell the roses—(also: take time to smell the roses) slow down and relax; take time out and enjoy or appreciate life: There is a whole lot more to life than work and worry. You got to stop and smell the roses. wake up and smell the coffee—is used to tell a person to […]