white boy—(U.S. Drug users) heroin: Then there are the white boy drug dealers in the suburbs…. I know that only a small percentage of people is dangerous, but it’s best to be on the safe side. white man —(dated) said of a good and righteous man back in the colonization days: “Is it a marriage […]
White as a sheet vs White as snow
white as a sheet—very pale, usually because of illness, shock or fear: He must have done a pretty good imitation of a gangster because the guy’s face turned white as a sheet. white as snow—is said of very pure white color: Anne walked with him to the house up the brook, over a field that […]
Whistle down the wind vs Whistle up the wind
whistle down the wind— 1. talk purposelessly: I know I’m trying to whistle down the wind here. But the technology is likely to arrive sometime in the next century. 2. abandon or sacrifice a person or thing: I was dragged out of the Senate, against my wishes—tried to do my whole duty, and was then […]
Whipping boy vs Whipping Tom
whipping boy— 1. (UK hist.) a boy educated with a prince and punished in his stead: Sir Mungo had been attached to Court in the capacity of whipping-boy to King James the Sixth. 2. a scapegoat: The choice of agents is a difficult matter for you have to choose persons for whose faults you are […]
Whip one’s weight in wild cats vs Whip the cat
whip one’s weight in wild cats—(U.S. sl.) be able to fight vigorously; defeat a powerful opponent: I was to get acquainted with Alta Ashbury, win her confidence, let her feel that I was capable of whipping my weight in wild cats. whip the cat—(sl.) 1. (U.S. dated) work as an itinerant tailor, carpenter, etc.: The […]
When the band begins to play vs When the fat lady sings
when the band begins to play —(coll.) when matters become very serious or critical: …they are supplied with the best of weapons. Naturally only the best is good enough when the band begins to play. when the fat lady sings—(U.S. sl.) when smth. is finally concluded; at the end of a match, performance, etc.: We […]
When the balloon goes up vs When the eagle flies
when the balloon goes up —(coll.) when matters become very serious or critical: The international rules of war are apt to be waived when the balloon goes up. when the eagle flies—(U.S. sl.) on payday: I’ll pay you back when the eagle flies. Cf.: eagle has landed, the—(U.S. sl.) paychecks are in: The principal got […]
When it comes down to it vs When the chips are down
when it comes down to it—(also: when it comes right down to it) when one really thinks about it: Doctors are great, but when it comes right down to it, each of us is in charge of his own health. when the chips are down—when matters become very serious or critical: When the chips are […]
What’s up vs What’s up with
what’s up— 1. what is happening; what is going on: You can keep up to date on what’s happening with legislation, new product research, or what’s up in your community. 2. (U.S. sl., also: whassup) is used as a greeting to someone you know well: “Hi, Jim. What’s up?” “Oh nothing much…. How are you […]
What with vs What’s with
what with—on account of smth.; as a result of smth.: The idea of being homesick didn’t even occur to me, what with all the new things that were going on. what’s with—what’s wrong with: It seems that well-educated people should be the most well informed. What’s with these people?
What matter vs What’s the matter
what matter —(coll.) what difference does it make: But what matter from whom he heard this. what’s the matter— 1. what happened; what is the problem: What’s the matter, Cynthia? You sound odd. 2. what’s wrong with: I’m a farmer all right. What’s the matter with farming?
What is in it for someone vs What is it to someone
what is in it for someone—what advantage or benefit can a person receive from smth.: He had an inbred suspicion of any kind of offered help, he wanted to know why people were giving it, what was in it for them. what is it to someone—what business is that of mine, yours, etc.; does it […]