push oneself—make an effort; force oneself to do smth.: I will push myself to live my life to the fullest and improve this world I live in. push oneself forward—try to force people’s attention on oneself (to make them notice one’s abilities, etc.): I do find it painful to push myself forward to complete strangers, […]
Difference between Push one’s fortune and Push one’s luck
push one’s fortune—make an effort to win a good position in the world: I am tired of this life. I want to push my fortune. What is there here for me? push one’s luck —(also: press one’s luck) try to make too much of an advantage; expect continued good fortune: He could have been satisfied […]
Difference between Purple state and Red state
purple state—(U.S.) a state which may vote Democratic or Republican: New Hampshire has been called a purple state for its mix of red (Republican) and blue (Democratic) voters in 2000. red state—(U.S.) a state voting Republican in a given election, or tending to vote Republican in general: In John Ashcroft’s home state of Missouri, Bush […]
Difference between Purple Heart and Purple hearts
Purple Heart—(U.S.) a military decoration for those wounded in action: Mason returned to Pasadena wearing a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. purple hearts—(Drug users) heart-shaped stimulant tablets, especially of amphetamine (also: pink hearts): They took more interest in life and stopped taking purple hearts.
Difference between Pupil teacher and Student teacher
pupil teacher—(UK hist.) a boy or girl preparing to be a teacher, whose time was divided between teaching in an elementary school and being taught by the head teacher: The pupil-teacher, as a rule, we fear, learns little and teaches less. student teacher—a student of a training college teaching in a school for a certain […]
Difference between Pump attendant and Pumpman
pump attendant—a person who serves motor fuel at a garage or gas station: Harry was pump attendant and not in charge of mechanics. pumpman—a man in charge of the pumps: The strikers threaten to call out the engineers and pump-men, which would result in the flooding of the mines.
Difference between Pull-boat and Pulling boat
pull-boat— 1. (hist.) a barge or boat propelled by pulling a rope: It is a treat to see a powerful young Dutchwoman handle a rope on a pull-boat. 2. (U.S.) a motorized flatboat used to draw logs over water: In the cypress swamps of Louisiana there are employed what are known as pull-boats. pulling boat—a small […]
Difference between Pull the plug out and Pull the stops out
pull the plug out—stop working on a project, etc.; put an end to an activity: If he is no longer updating the newsgroup site and decided to pull the plug out, would that be the end of the newsgroup? pull the stops out—apply all one’s energy to the task in hand; work as hard as […]
Difference between Pull the plug on something and Put a plug in for something
pull the plug on something—stop working on smth.; put an end to an activity: You should have a contingency fund to cover unexpected costs that could force you to pull the plug on the project. put a plug in for something—highly recommend a product, etc.; advertise or promote smth.: I want to put in a […]
Difference between Pull the plug on someone and Put a plug in for someone
pull the plug on someone— 1. remove life-supporting equipment from a terminal patient: David’s prayers awoke his friend from a coma several days before they were going to pull the plug on him. 2. discontinue a person’s employment: Remember how many reporters complained and talked about Jayson long before his editors finally decided to pull […]
Difference between Pull the devil by the tail and Twist the lion’s tail
pull the devil by the tail—be constantly in difficulties or financial straits: He was tired of knocking about, of pulling the devil by the tail…. Would he never get a good job? twist the lion’s tail—provoke the resentment of the British people (used with reference to foreign insults to Great Britain): I took a silent […]
Difference between Pull something to pieces and Take something to pieces
pull something to pieces— 1. destroy or dismantle smth.: While we were out, our dog pulled to pieces two of our sofa cushions. 2. criticize smth. severely: I explained my theory and he just pulled it to pieces. take something to pieces—(of machinery, etc.) take smth. apart so that it is in separate pieces: He […]