be seated— 1. (imper.) is used as an invitation to sit down: Thank you all for being here today and please be seated. 2. be placed in a chair or other seat: Once they were seated in her office, she started to explain the problem. 3. be established in a position of power or authority: […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be ringed and Be rung
be ringed— 1. be encircled or surrounded: The village was ringed by a wall of sharp-thorned acacia branches woven tightly together. 2. (of birds) have a numbered ring attached to their legs, so that various aspects of the bird’s life can be studied: The first birds to be ringed in southern Africa were Cape Griffons. […]
Difference between Be related to someone and Relate to someone
be related to someone—be connected by family to smb.: I am distantly related to the Rochesters by the mother’s side. relate to someone— 1. concern a person: When it doesn’t relate to me I can’t find the energy to worry about it. 2. communicate or deal with other people: Children need to learn to relate […]
Difference between Be reflected in something and Reflect on something
be reflected in something—be clearly shown in smth.: The low level of interest in the election has been reflected in the unwillingness of the citizens to vote. reflect on something—bring smth. into question or disfavor: Your behavior reflects on the good name of the school.
Difference between Be quit of someone and Be quits with someone
be quit of someone—be free or rid of a person: “On the whole,” she continued thoughtfully, “it would be much better if he died. I mean, I’d feel more finally quit of him.” be quits with someone—be even with smb. by repaying a debt or by means of retaliation: He was quits with all the […]
Difference between Be put up against the wall and Be up against the wall
be put up against the wall—said of smb. about to be executed by shooting: His appeal was turned down…. The day came round and he was put up against the wall to be shot. be up against the wall—(also: have one’s back against the wall) have run out of options; be pushed to the last […]
Difference between Be put into execution and Be put to execution
be put into execution—(also: be carried into execution) be carried out: The plan was put into execution and this was the beginning of the manufacture of woolen fabrics. be put to execution—1. = be put into execution: The plan was put to execution, and the group of three moved down, alongside of the rocky wall. […]
Difference between Be poorly and Be poorly off
be poorly—be feeling unwell: “Kate, your mistress is poorly this morning, and prefers you not go in to her.” “Poorly? Oh, but sir, she will want her tea…” be poorly off—have very little money: Many of the Africans who came here as refugees more than a decade ago are still poorly off.
Difference between Be pleased with oneself and Please oneself
be pleased with oneself—be much satisfied with what one does: He was very pleased with himself after he had passed his driving test. please oneself—do whatever one likes, without having to obey others: We don’t have to be back by a certain time; we can just please ourselves.
Difference between Be over someone’s head and Hang over someone’s head
be over someone’s head—(also: be above someone’s head) said of smth. too difficult to understand: I bought a handful of photographic magazines and when I got home to read them, I found they were completely over my head. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be in over one’s head—be involved […]
Difference between Be out of the woods and Take to the woods
be out of the woods—(often negat.) be finally free from trouble or difficulties (also: be out of the wood): The Prime Minister is by no means out of the woods, and must fight to defend his leadership. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase come out of the woodwork—appear as though out […]
Difference between Be out of the ball park and Knock it out of the ball park
be out of the ball park—(coll.) 1. be not close to the correct amount or number: Their budget “estimates” are out of the ballpark and too high in my opinion. 2. be beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable or possible: The project makes sense only with those recommendations, otherwise, it is out of the […]