shake a leg—(coll.) 1. move faster; hurry up: They are waiting outside in the car; let’s shake a leg! 2. dance: The stage is ready for them, if they like to act or the dancing-room, should they wish to shake a leg. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase swing the […]
Difference between Shadowy activities and Shady activities
shadowy activities—activities about which little is known: There was a report last month on the shadowy activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. shady activities—activities that are dishonest or illegal: Amy figures out that there is a link between the school’s closure and Richard Packhouse’s shady activities.
Difference between Sex something and Sex up something
sex something—(of animals and plants) determine the sex by anatomical examination: The specimen is not sexed, neither is the sex noted on the drawing. sex up something —(sl.) present smth. in a more interesting or lively way (by introducing sex-oriented material): This film took a classic story with lots of potential, put in many great […]
Difference between the Seven Days’ Battle and the Seven Days’ Campaign
Seven Days’ Battle, the—(U.S. hist.) the battle of James River between the Federals and the Confederates in the American Civil War: Three of the Ford brothers participated in the “Seven Days’ Battle” in June 1862. Seven Days’ Campaign, the—(hist.) the series of battles in Bohemia concluding in the Battle of Sadowa (1866) in the Austro-Prussian […]
Difference between Seven come eleven and Seven eleven
seven come eleven—(Gambling ) the words that a player says in the hope of good luck: Eight hours later, 5 A.M. found me in a fairly empty Flamingo Casino, throwing chips … and screaming for seven come eleven. seven eleven—a convenient store, open from seven in the morning until eleven at night: No woman will […]
Difference between Settle up with someone and Settle with someone
settle up with someone—pay a debt, one’s share of the cost, etc. to a person: As it’s payday today … I can settle up with my surprisingly patient landlords. settle with someone— 1. punish a person for harm one has suffered (often used as a threat): When you insulted me I promised to settle with […]
Difference between Settle for something and Settle on something
settle for something—agree to accept smth., usually not altogether satisfactory: After a good deal of discussion about what they should have, they settled for bacon and eggs. settle on something—come to a decision about smth.: We must now settle on a time and place to meet.
Difference between Settle down in something and Settle down to something
settle down in something— 1. make oneself comfortable in a seat: He made himself a quick meal, poured a drink and settled down in an armchair. 2. establish oneself in a new job, place of residence, etc.: It didn’t seem likely that we should meet again, as Clarence had settled down in the country. settle […]
Difference between Set up house and Set up housekeeping
set up house—start one’s own home: Friends and family saw his decision to set up house in Morocco as eccentric or irresponsible. set up housekeeping—said about two people moving in together: There’s a new couch on order—the old one was a gift when we first set up housekeeping here six years ago.
Difference between Set the cat among the pigeons and Set the fox to keep the geese
set the cat among the pigeons —(also: put the cat among the pigeons) do or say smth. that is bound to cause trouble and make people angry: Once again she set the cat among the pigeons, claiming that Michel was lying. set the fox to keep the geese —(also: let the fox guard the henhouse) […]
Difference between Set something on foot and Set something on its feet
set something on foot—(also: put something on foot) initiate a process or action: The Government intends to set on foot an inquiry into euthanasia. set something on its feet—(also: put something on its feet) make smth. economically self-supporting, especially after a period of difficulties: We want to set some of these local industries on their […]
Difference between Set someone up and Upset someone
set someone up— 1. (coll.) make a person feel better: You need a holiday to set you up again after all that hard work. 2. help a person start as someone in business, etc.: His father lent him some money to set him up as a shoemaker. 3. (often Passive) deliberately cause a person to […]