turn one’s back on someone—abandon or ignore smb.; refuse to support a person: When he seemed to turn his back on me I felt bereft, really. But then one day he rang up and I could hear his voice shaking with emotion. when someone’s back is turned—do smth. when a person is not present or […]
Turn on the waterworks vs Turn someone’s water off
turn on the waterworks—(coll.) begin to cry (also: turn on the water tap): Sally turned on the waterworks when she got yelled at. turn someone’s water off—(coll.) make a person appear more modest (usually of smb. who is acting too arrogant): It took a scolding from the coach to turn Tom’s water off.
Turn on someone vs Turn to someone
turn on someone—(coll.) attack smb. with hostile words; speak angrily to a person: Why did she turn on me like that? Have I said something to offend her? Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase turn someone on—(coll.) cause a person to become interested or (sexually) excited: I went to bed […]
Turn in on oneself vs Turn oneself in
turn in on oneself—have as little as possible to do with other people: She has become introverted, turned in on herself, and has broken off contact with the world that she no longer knows. turn oneself in—give oneself to the police: It seems that Ford’s brother, Rod, had convinced him to turn himself in, although […]
Turn a trick vs Turn the trick
turn a trick —(sl.) 1. have casual sexual relations, especially for money: Some of the young prostitutes live at home and turn tricks merely for pocket money. 2. (Underworld) commit a successful robbery: Campbell’s claim was that he hadn’t turned a trick in a year but the money had to be coming from somewhere. turn […]
Tug at something vs Tug something
tug at something—pull hard at smth. such as a rope: Don’t tug at the leash or become impatient…. Your cat will be compelled to cooperate by your calm steadfastness. tug something—move smth. by pulling or dragging forcibly: Navigation is difficult with sand shoals; boatmen wade waist deep for more than an hour tugging the boat.
Tudor flower vs Tudor rose
Tudor flower—an upright stalked trefoil ornament in architectural decoration of the Tudor period: The pulpit carved with Tudor flower and vines dates from about 1460. It is one of about 60 mediaeval stone pulpits which remain in England. Tudor rose—a conventional figure of a rose in architectural decoration of the Tudor period: This form of decoration […]
Try one’s hand vs Try one’s wings
try one’s hand—attempt to do smth. unfamiliar: I’m new at this, and just wanted to try my hand. try one’s wings—try out a recently acquired ability: Marjorie just had her twelfth French lesson and wants to try her wings by speaking with our visitors.
Try doing something vs Try to do something
try doing something—do smth. as a test to see whether it is satisfactory: If you can, try sleeping on your back, it will eliminate some of the additional pressure placed on the jaw. try to do something—make an attempt at smth. (especially without much expectation of success): The police is still seeking for the people […]
Trust someone for something vs Trust someone with something
trust someone for something—allow credit for smth. such as goods to a customer: Can you trust me for a packet of cigarettes until Friday. trust someone with something—give a person the care of smth. with complete confidence: I’ve trusted him with everything I have—money, house, horses.
Trust in something vs Trust to something
trust in something—have faith or confidence in smth.: We felt that we could trust in his wide experience. trust to something—act in dependence on smth.; rely on smth.: I don’t know if it will work, but I’ll just trust to luck. Note: Neither expression is equivalent in meaning to the phrase trust something— 1. believe […]
Trust in someone vs Trust to someone
trust in someone—have faith or confidence in a person: I slowly found myself able again to hope and trust in the human race. trust to someone—act in dependence on a person; rely on smb.: The people of England are discovering that it is no good trusting to the old politicians. Note: Neither expression is equivalent […]