what goes around, comes around—one is bound to see the long-term effects of his current actions and behavior: “What goes around comes around” and eventually each of you will answer for all the lies you have published. what goes up, must come down—when smth. such as a stock price, etc. goes up it will most […]
What ever vs Whatever
what ever—is used as a more emphatic variant of “what”: “What ever are you doing in that ridiculous costume?” Jonny let out a girlish giggle… whatever—no matter what: Whatever I say, he always finds a way to tell me that the same thought occurred to him a few weeks earlier.
What else can I do vs What else can I do for you
what else can I do —(also: what more can I do) is used as an expression of hopelessness or desperation: He came out with a gun and said he would put an end to it. I called the cops but what else can I do? what else can I do for you—is used as an […]
What an idea vs What’s the idea
what an idea— 1. that’s a great idea: They don’t fit very well under the Christmas tree, but what an idea for that perfect gift! 2. that’s preposterous; that’s most unreasonable: Pa looked at ma stunned. Good heavens what an idea! what’s the idea —(also: what’s the big idea) what’s the intention or purpose (is […]
West Indiaman vs West Indian
West Indiaman—(hist.) a sailing ship running to the West Indies and the east coast of America: Compare the numbers of men in a West Indiaman and in a Baltic or Hamburg trader. West Indian—an inhabitant of the West Indies: American Blacks are quick to perceive pronunciation differences on the part of West Indians who migrate […]
Welcome home vs Welcome to our house
welcome home—celebration or expressions of greeting at smb.’s homecoming: Nearly bursting with pride these ladies gave the servicemen a welcome home that they deserved. welcome to our house—a name for the plant Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia Cyparissias): Another species found in the Smokey Mountains is often called Graveyard weed and Welcome-toour-house. Note: The expression is not […]
Weigh someone down vs Weigh someone up
weigh someone down—(also: weight someone down) 1. press on a person with a heavy weight: Get this bundle off my back; it’s really weighing me down. 2. make smb. very sad; depress a person: When an American girl does that, you can guess there’s something “mighty hefty” weighing her down. weigh someone up —(coll.) form […]
Weather house vs Weather station
weather house—a model house that indicates changes in humidity by the appearance of two human figures coming out to foretell good and bad weather: Heisenberg compared this to the little man and woman in a weather house, an old folk art device. weather station—a station for recording and reporting meteorological observations: The progress of European […]
Wear away vs Wear off
wear away— 1. be reduced through constant pressure, friction, etc.: With the passing of the years, the finer detail of the carvings has almost worn away. 2. (of a person) become progressively weaker: After the operation, she just seemed to wear away until she died. 3. (of time) pass slowly: As the afternoon wore away, […]
Weak for someone vs Weak with someone
weak for someone—(of tea, etc.) not having enough flavor or not strong enough to a person’s taste: The tea was too weak for him to really enjoy. weak with someone—lacking in firmness when dealing with a person: He was spoiling his son’s character by being weak with him.
Weak as a cat vs Weak as water
weak as a cat—(also: weak as a kitten) lacking in physical strength: He must have been as weak as a kitten, with all the blood he’d lost. weak as water —(also: weak as dishwater) 1. = weak as a cat: Sir, I am only just getting well of a fever, and I am as weak […]
Way to go Einstein vs Way to go Grace
way to go Einstein—(sarcastic) is used to tell a person he made a mistake or is not very smart: In all of the excitement, he ran a red light, barely avoiding an accident. “Way to go, Einstein!” a voice from the back seat exclaimed. way to go Grace—(sarcastic) is used to tell a person he or […]