tight on someone— 1. (of garments) fitting too closely; being too small for a person: The Navy’s largest dungaree shirt was tight on him, and he popped the buttons off when he expanded his chest. 2. (Sport) striving to limit the opponent’s options and freedom of movement: Chiasson … just fires the puck every time […]
Tight for money vs Tight with money
tight for money—having insufficient money: My father didn’t know what to do; he’d only just started on his own, so he was tight for money as well. tight with money—unwilling to spend money: I don’t think he is a liberal. He’s tight with his money, and he wants to see the poor work for their […]
Tie someone down to something vs Tie someone up with something
tie someone down to something—restrict a person to the terms of an agreement, etc.: If he tries to cheat, we must tie him down to his contract. tie someone up with something— 1. connect or associate a person with smth.: Isn’t this company closely tied up with the continental industry? 2. fully involve a person […]
Tie someone down vs Tie someone up
tie someone down—restrict smb.’s freedom; encumber a person: I don’t want to tie you down, but you do have responsibilities here at home. tie someone up— 1. bind a person with rope, string, etc.: The thieves left the old man tied up in the bedroom. 2. keep a person very busy: Writing this article should […]
Throw something back at someone vs Throw something back to someone
throw something back at someone— 1. return smth. by throwing it at a person, usually with a hostile intent: When I once threw a radio at him, instead of throwing it back at me he picked it up and started replacing the tubes. 2. remind a person unkindly of the wrong things he has said […]
Throw something at someone vs Throw something to someone
throw something at someone— 1. throw smth. so as to hit a person: One of the combatants threw a small paving-stone at his opponent. 2. (of a question, remark, etc.) say in a casual or rather aggressive way: I’m sorry about throwing all these random suggestions at you. throw something to someone—throw smth. so that […]
Throw oneself in something vs Throw oneself on something vs Throw oneself to something
throw oneself in something —(also: throw oneself into something) 1. jump suddenly into the lake, river, etc.: I won’t be throwing myself in the canal over the collapsed deal. 2. engage vigorously in an activity: So he slowly began to pull away, throwing himself in his work in the hopes of making the inevitable separation […]
Throw oneself away on someone vs Throw oneself on someone
throw oneself away on someone—ruin one’s life on behalf of another person (usually a male who doesn’t deserve it): I could forgive her if she hadn’t thrown herself away on such a cheap sort of fellow. throw oneself on someone —(also: throw oneself at someone) 1. physically attack a person: Mulder couldn’t bear the humiliation […]
Throw one’s weight vs Throw one’s weight about
throw one’s weight—(also: swing one’s weight) use one’s influence and personal power to get smth. done, etc.: I was prepared to throw my weight in Cung’s favor. But he mistrusted me and rejected my council. throw one’s weight about—(also: throw one’s weight around) aggressively assert oneself: She was in here the other day, throw ing […]
This is where I came in vs Where do I come in
this is where I came in— 1. this is where I had to do my part: The facilities they have must be maintained and improved, so this is where I came in to help out. 2. my knowledge dates from this point: “Anything else you want to ask me?” “No. This is where I came […]
Third degree vs Third-class degree
third degree— 1. prolonged or hard questioning; use of torture to get confession or information: “You don’t think they’re giving him third degree or anything of that sort?” “My dear fellow, third degree? You’ve been watching too many old movies on the TV.” 2. (U.S. legal) the least serious grade of a particular crime: Maliciously […]
Third class vs Third-rate
third class— 1. (railway carriages) the class next below the second: Ladies traveling alone would never have traveled third class. Even ladies’ maids always traveled second. 2. the lowest honors degree obtained from a British university: Some of my best friends got a third class degree, and they’re amongst the most successful people I know. third-rate—decidedly […]