Silicon Alley—(New York City) a nickname for an area in lower Manhattan, where there is a large concentration of hightech firms (a pun on Silicon Valley): The success of Silicon Alley has had less to do with the traditional technology-oriented policies … and more to do with the strengths of New York’s business sector. Silicon […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Sign someone in and Sign someone on
sign someone in—register a person; record smb.’s arrival or admittance: Members must sign in any guests that they bring to the club. sign someone on—employ a person for a job (as by signing a contract): The men can only be “signed on” in the presence of the Board of Trade officer.
Difference between Sigh about something and Sigh for something
sigh about something—express some sad feeling on account of smth.: It’s no good sighing about your failure, it’s better to start again. sigh for something—desire smth. very much: Many a woman sighs for a house of her own.
Difference between Side-step and Step aside
side-step— 1. step to one side: Sophia sidestepped and walked sharply past Charles. 2. deviate from the direct route: I was glad I side-stepped, for the journey was worth a deviation. 3. avoid an issue, etc.: I’ve even asked Dinwater that flat out on two occasions. But he’s always side-stepped. step aside— 1. = side-step […]
Difference between Side boy and Sideman
side boy—(Navy) one of the crew detailed to stand at the gangway as a mark of respect to a person arriving: Shipmate Talbot was nominated “side boy” for the evening and he piped the Mayor aboard. sideman—( Jazz) a supporting instrumentalist: He began playing in bands just a few years later, and was soon accepted […]
Difference between Sicken at something, Sicken for something and Sicken of something
sicken at something—experience strong revulsion at smth.: The four of us who sickened at the idea of partaking of the horrid meal withdrew to the seclusion of our tent. sicken for something—be in the early stages of a disease (not yet manifest): “I’d rather be at home,” said the cameraman. “I’m definitely sickening for something.” […]
Difference between Sick from something, Sick of something and Sick with something
sick from something— 1. feeling unwell as a result of smth.: What is the best thing to do if you get sick from too much sun? 2. ready to vomit because of smth.: Some are sick from the motion of a carriage, or on the water, when it is simply rippled by the wind. sick […]
Difference between Sick child and Sickly child
sick child—a child who is ill: Even creches, will not lift the load of fatigue from the mother with a sick child to nurse and a teething baby. sickly child—a child who is weak, unhealthy and often ill: A mother who did not care for her children would have feeble and sickly children.
Difference between Shut up a shop and Shut up shop
shut up a shop —(also: close up a shop) close a shop securely before leaving (for the weekend, etc.): The bookseller was just shutting up his shop for the night. shut up shop —(also: close up shop) 1. stop doing business or a service for the day: I think I’ll shut up shop, I can’t […]
Difference between Shut someone off and Shut someone out
shut someone off—(sl.) silence or obstruct a person: Don’t try to shut me off ! I have more to say. shut someone out—not allow smb. to enter or participate: Just look at how the corporate media shut him out of the debates.
Difference between Shut one’s eyes and Shut your eyes and think of England
shut one’s eyes —(also: close one’s eyes) pretend that one has no knowledge of smth.; ignore smth.: He preferred to shut his eyes on the matter rather than to fight for his point of view. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase get some shut-eye—(sl.) get some sleep: I’ve been working […]
Difference between Show the white feather and Show the white flag
show the white feather—display cowardice: He said that Mr. Bathurst left the army because he showed the white feather. It is not true, is it? show the white flag —(also: hang out the white flag ) admit defeat; surrender: These comments have been submitted in a letter to the editor. Will the author resolutely defend […]