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Water house vs Watering house

water house—a building in which water is retained in a reservoir: They have no water but what is forced from a deep well into a waterhouse, whence they are furnished by pipes. watering house—(UK hist.) a pub providing water for horses and refreshments for travelers: Travelers would stop at these “watering houses” to quench their […]

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Water hole vs Watering hole

water hole—a pond or pool in a dry area: In many locations in Namibia, one simply waits by a water hole to photograph the never ending parade of animals. watering hole— 1. = water hole: Appoint a place for washing clothes clear of the watering hole. 2. (joc.) a licensed cafe or pub: The restaurant […]

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Water boatman vs Water-man

water boatman—a water-bug (Notonecta glauca), whose body resembles a boat: The water boatman, an insect related to the Cimicidae, made me suffer still more severely. water-man— 1. a man who rows or lends out small boats for pay: A coachman, postboy, or waterman, generally expects some grace from the passengers, over and above his fare. […]

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Watch the clock vs Watch the time

watch the clock— 1. keep one’s eye on the clock to avoid being late, etc.: They work under the beady eye of their crew chief, who monitors their progress and constantly watches the clock, counting the minutes. 2. (also: clock-watch) keep one’s eye on the clock waiting for the end of one’s work day (used showing […]

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Waste water vs Wasted water

waste water—water that has been used in some industrial process: The liquefaction process could give off up to 4.8 million gallons of wastewater per day. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase waste of water— 1. (also: waste of waters) a vast expanse of water: It seemed to her that her […]

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Wash-house vs Washroom

wash-house—room or outbuilding equipped for washing: Nestled in the back courtyard of the gardens is a vintage wash house, now remodeled as The Wash House Gift Shop. washroom—(U.S.) lavatory (especially in a public building): The detectives try to piece together a motive for the shooting of a forensic expert in a restaurant washroom.

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Warmer-up vs Warmer-upper

warmer-up —(pl. warmers-up) 1. a preliminary item designed to put an audience in a receptive mood: As a “warmer-up” the concert began with a rather pedestrian rendering of the Hebrides overture. 2. (also: warm-up man) a presenter of a preliminary item designed to prepare an audience for another—more famous—performer: As so often it is the […]

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Warm house vs Warming house

warm house—a glass-house maintained at a high enough temperature for the culture of tender or tropical plants: In a warm house or greenhouse plants can reproduce all year round. warming house— 1. a structure at a skating rink where the skaters can go to warm themselves: Lakefront Park remains the premier location for winter activity […]

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Walk the talk vs Walky-talky

walk the talk—(U.S., also: walk one’s talk) do what one said one would do—not just making “empty promises”: We need not to talk the talk but it’s time to walk the talk. The time to act is now or never at all. walky-talky—a small portable radio link (receiver and transmitter): The security guard got on […]

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