school board— 1. (UK hist.) local education authority responsible for the maintenance of public elementary schools: The school board may pay the whole or any part of the school fees payable by any child. 2. (U.S., Canada) a board charged with the provision and maintenance of schools: The school board which recently submitted its estimates […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between the Scarlet Woman and Scarlet woman
Scarlet Woman, the—(derog.) the Roman Catholic Church (also: Scarlet Lady, the): The latter old lady [the Church of Rome] may be the Scarlet Woman, or the Beast with ten horns, if you will. scarlet woman—(pejor., dated) a prostitute; a whore: I sought out a scarlet woman in the streets and went home with her.
Difference between Say something in confidence and Say something with confidence
say something in confidence—tell smth. on the understanding that the information is not to be disclosed: McSorley should not even have written down what was said in confidence by Kennedy. say something with confidence—say smth. assuredly and with conviction: No one can say with confidence now what the outcome will be.
Difference between Say a lot about something and Say a lot for something
say a lot about something—(also: tell a lot about something) be very significant or revealing about smth.: This says a lot about our society and the direction in which we are moving. say a lot for something—give ample proof in favor of smth.; be strong evidence of smth.: Sprucing up the place of business with […]
Difference between Save someone from something and Save someone something
save someone from something—deliver or rescue a person from danger, injury, etc.: I was originally going to write about my grandparents who saved me from a life of poverty and selfdestruction. save someone something—make smth. unnecessary; relieve a person from the need of doing smth.: I said that I would save him the exertion of […]
Difference between Satisfied of something and Satisfied with something
satisfied of something—completely sure about smth.: Are you quite satisfied of the truth of his story now? satisfied with something—entirely pleased with smth.: I am not satisfied with your work; you must improve it.
Difference between Sardine box and Sardine tin
sardine box—(UK hist.) used of the City & South London Railway opened in 1890, so called because of the packed conditions at rush hour: The passengers in the “sardine box railway” had to sit facing each other on long benches in light too dim to read a newspaper. sardine tin—(sl., pejor.) 1. a mini-car: Leave […]
Difference between Sandwich girl and Sandwich man
sandwich girl —(sl.) a super-skinny girl who looks like she hasn’t eaten in weeks: Joe talks about how he’s all about body acceptance and real women, but all he ever dates is sandwich girls. sandwich man—a man carrying two placards fastened together with straps supported on his shoulders: Not a picket was to be seen, […]
Difference between San Jose and San José
San Jose—a city in California located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay: A friend who lives in San Jose came to the hotel one night and took us to dinner. San José—the capital of the nation of Costa Rica: Many foreigners living in Costa Rica, especially the beach areas, must come to San […]
Difference between Same again and Same as ever
same again—used when ordering another drink of the same kind as the last: A thump on the counter brought the barmaid…. “Same again, ladies?” same as ever—said of a person or thing not changed over a period of time: I have been perfectly charmed and overjoyed today, to find you just the same as ever.
Difference between Sally Ann and San Fairy Ann
Sally Ann—(sl.) the Salvation Army (a charitable and religious organization to care for the poor and homeless): The Salvation Army? You’d never get me sleeping there…. Everyone knows you pick all sorts of things up from the Sally Ann. San Fairy Ann—(a jocular representation of the French phrase “ca ne fait rien”) it doesn’t matter; […]
Difference between Sale price and Selling price
sale price— 1. the price a customer pays for a product: I have learned the lowest sale price of many items we purchase regularly and wait until it is at or below that price. 2. low price at a sale: This Lindermans wine I bought at a sale price of ￡3.99 at my local Safeway—normal […]