ship’s clerk— 1. an officer responsible for accounts and stores in a passenger liner: He appears to have been a somewhat humorless person, very dedicated to his profession as ship’s clerk. 2. (U.S. Navy) an officer supervising records, reports, etc.: The torpedoman, ship’s clerk, photographer and aerographer entered the warrant ranks during WWII. shipping clerk—a […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Shipmaster and Shipping-master
shipmaster —(also: master of the ship) captain or commander of a vessel: No shipmaster is permitted to use an anchor which has not been tested and stamped with a government mark. shipping-master—an official supervising the signing-on and discharging of seamen: When the crew is first engaged, the agreement shall be signed in duplicate, and one […]
Difference between Ship company and Ship’s company
ship company—(also: shipping company) commercial company engaged in transporting passengers and cargo by ship: The day of building tramp steamers by means of money raised from single ship companies has passed away. ship’s company—the whole crew of any ship: It was certainly a good run ashore for the ship’s company, with the Principality of Monaco […]
Difference between Sharp as a needle and Sharp as a wet noodle
sharp as a needle—(also: sharp as a razor) very intelligent; quick to learn or realize things: The child was as sharp as a needle and soon began to use quite difficult words. sharp as a wet noodle—(U.S. ironic) very dull, stupid: You can tell from the things he says that he’s about as sharp as […]
Difference between Shake the pagoda tree and Shake the plum tree
shake the pagoda tree—(UK hist.) make a fortune rapidly in India: Many a Banya or Brahman who had helped to “shake the pagoda tree” retired quietly to his ancestral village. shake the plum tree—(U.S.) appoint applicants to public offices as a reward for their loyalty to the party in power: As chairman of the Republican […]
Difference between Shake a leg and Shake a loose leg
shake a leg—(coll.) 1. move faster; hurry up: They are waiting outside in the car; let’s shake a leg! 2. dance: The stage is ready for them, if they like to act or the dancing-room, should they wish to shake a leg. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase swing the […]
Difference between Shadowy activities and Shady activities
shadowy activities—activities about which little is known: There was a report last month on the shadowy activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. shady activities—activities that are dishonest or illegal: Amy figures out that there is a link between the school’s closure and Richard Packhouse’s shady activities.
Difference between Sex something and Sex up something
sex something—(of animals and plants) determine the sex by anatomical examination: The specimen is not sexed, neither is the sex noted on the drawing. sex up something —(sl.) present smth. in a more interesting or lively way (by introducing sex-oriented material): This film took a classic story with lots of potential, put in many great […]
Difference between the Seven Days’ Battle and the Seven Days’ Campaign
Seven Days’ Battle, the—(U.S. hist.) the battle of James River between the Federals and the Confederates in the American Civil War: Three of the Ford brothers participated in the “Seven Days’ Battle” in June 1862. Seven Days’ Campaign, the—(hist.) the series of battles in Bohemia concluding in the Battle of Sadowa (1866) in the Austro-Prussian […]
Difference between Seven come eleven and Seven eleven
seven come eleven—(Gambling ) the words that a player says in the hope of good luck: Eight hours later, 5 A.M. found me in a fairly empty Flamingo Casino, throwing chips … and screaming for seven come eleven. seven eleven—a convenient store, open from seven in the morning until eleven at night: No woman will […]
Difference between Settle up with someone and Settle with someone
settle up with someone—pay a debt, one’s share of the cost, etc. to a person: As it’s payday today … I can settle up with my surprisingly patient landlords. settle with someone— 1. punish a person for harm one has suffered (often used as a threat): When you insulted me I promised to settle with […]
Difference between Settle for something and Settle on something
settle for something—agree to accept smth., usually not altogether satisfactory: After a good deal of discussion about what they should have, they settled for bacon and eggs. settle on something—come to a decision about smth.: We must now settle on a time and place to meet.