settle down in something— 1. make oneself comfortable in a seat: He made himself a quick meal, poured a drink and settled down in an armchair. 2. establish oneself in a new job, place of residence, etc.: It didn’t seem likely that we should meet again, as Clarence had settled down in the country. settle […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Set up house and Set up housekeeping
set up house—start one’s own home: Friends and family saw his decision to set up house in Morocco as eccentric or irresponsible. set up housekeeping—said about two people moving in together: There’s a new couch on order—the old one was a gift when we first set up housekeeping here six years ago.
Difference between Set the cat among the pigeons and Set the fox to keep the geese
set the cat among the pigeons —(also: put the cat among the pigeons) do or say smth. that is bound to cause trouble and make people angry: Once again she set the cat among the pigeons, claiming that Michel was lying. set the fox to keep the geese —(also: let the fox guard the henhouse) […]
Difference between Set something on foot and Set something on its feet
set something on foot—(also: put something on foot) initiate a process or action: The Government intends to set on foot an inquiry into euthanasia. set something on its feet—(also: put something on its feet) make smth. economically self-supporting, especially after a period of difficulties: We want to set some of these local industries on their […]
Difference between Set someone up and Upset someone
set someone up— 1. (coll.) make a person feel better: You need a holiday to set you up again after all that hard work. 2. help a person start as someone in business, etc.: His father lent him some money to set him up as a shoemaker. 3. (often Passive) deliberately cause a person to […]
Difference between Set someone back on his feet and Set someone back on his heels
set someone back on his feet—(also: put someone back on his feet) 1. make smb.’s position or means of living secure again: Count Puckler went to England in search of a rich heiress who would set him back on his feet financially. 2. (of medicine, etc.) cure a person: Right now she couldn’t even face […]
Difference between Set one’s teeth and Set someone’s teeth on edge
set one’s teeth—show deep resolution in the face of pain, opposition, etc.: Erik set his teeth when the memories came flooding back, bursting their hastily constructed dams. set someone’s teeth on edge—said of smth. extremely unpleasant getting on a person’s nerves: The sight of that man eating with his knife sets my teeth on edge.
Difference between Set one’s seal to something and Set the seal on something
set one’s seal to something —(also: put one’s seal to something) give one’s authority to smth.: If I set my seal to this course of action, I trust to you to see it carried through. set the seal on something —(also: put the seal on something) bring smth. to an end in a suitable way; […]
Difference between Set one’s mind on something and Set one’s mind to something
set one’s mind on something—wish for smth. strongly; be determined about smth.: We’ve definitely set our minds on a holiday in France this year. set one’s mind to something —(also: put one’s mind to something) devote a lot of attention to a task: Hata set his mind to the study of Japanese policies toward the […]
Difference between Set a stone rolling and Set the ball rolling
set a stone rolling —(also: set the stone rolling ) start smth. which may lead to serious or unanticipated consequences: He used to treat the opium abuse as the ancestors’ tradition. Anyway, this set a stone rolling, and a tiny seed of a big misfortune was planted… Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning […]
Difference between Serve one’s time and Serve time
serve one’s time— 1. do one’s service in the armed forces: I wish I could serve my time in the army; I would gladly serve of my own free will. 2. work as an apprentice for a fixed period of time: I thought I was a man and not a sniveling canting apprentice angel serving […]
Difference between Separate the men from the boys and Separate the sheep from the goats
separate the men from the boys—separate those who have great skill, courage, etc., from those whose abilities are more limited: The first part of the race is not really difficult; it’s the final three miles over rough and hilly ground that will separate the men from the boys. separate the sheep from the goats —(also: […]