play against time—do smth. so as to finish one’s task before the expiry of a certain period: “You’re playing against time and the elements,” he said, recounting the rescue in a phone interview. play for time—delay action or a decision in the hope that conditions will be more favorable later on: This skepticism is influenced […]
Difference between Play a part and Play the part
play a part— 1. be involved in smth. and have an effect on it: Biochemistry may be defined as the study of the chemical processes which play a part in the life phenomena of plants and animals. 2. impersonate smb. such as a stage character: These pages contain top-secret materials about Bondiana—about the actors, who […]
Difference between Play a love game and Play for love
play a love game—said when smb.’s attitude to matters of love is not serious enough: She is afraid that you’re playing a love game instead of being serious. play for love —(also: play for fun) play cards, etc. without stakes: The Parson did not like card games played for money, but he was willing to […]
Difference between Plastic bomb and Plastic bullet
plastic bomb—a bomb containing plastic explosive: In France there were plastic bomb attacks, directed mainly against liberal politicians and journalists. plastic bullet—a projectile made of plastic material, used by security forces in riot control: New devices for riot control, including a plastic bullet, have been issued to the Army.
Difference between Planetarium theater and Planetary house
planetarium theater—a building housing an instrument for projecting the positions of the stars and planets onto a domed ceiling: See stars and constellations on the dome of our planetarium theater; use a star chart to find stars in the sky. planetary house —(Astrolog y) one of 12 equal areas (constellations) into which the zodiac is […]
Difference between Plane man and Plane people
plane man—(Mining ) a worker who controls cars on a selfacting incline (loaded car going down one track pulls empty cars up on other): A laborer who controls the movement of cars is also called drum runner, monitor operator, plane man. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the compound planesman—a person who […]
Difference between Plain to someone and Plain with someone
plain to someone—(of things) easy to understand and clear to a person: It was made quite plain to me that my career would be a very short one in the police service. plain with someone—(of people) frank and honest in dealing with another person: To be plain with you, there is no hope of your […]
Difference between Plain sailing and Plane sailing
plain sailing— 1. (Nautical) sailing in open unrestricted waters: He can take an observation and is acquainted with that part of navigation called plain sailing. 2. an easy, straightforward task, procedure, etc.: Once we’ve fixed the computer it will be plain sailing. plane sailing—(Nautical) calculation of a ship’s position as if the earth were flat […]
Difference between Plain people and Plains people
plain people— 1. (also: plain men) ordinary or average men; people not given to complex reasoning or speculation: The plain people of Northern Ireland are surprised by nothing and shocked by very little. 2. (Plain People) members of religious groups who practice a simple way of life: The Plain People, as they are known, won’t […]
Difference between Plain men and Plainsmen
plain men—(also: plain people) ordinary or average men; people not given to complex reasoning or speculation: The first people to listen to Jesus’ words and to become his disciples were plain men, fishermen of Galilee. plainsmen—(also: plains people) inhabitants of the wide open plains of a particular region: Experienced ranchmen never turn a bunch of […]
Difference between “Plain and simple” and “Pure and simple”
plain and simple—(of language, instructions, etc.) clear; not complicated: He can explain matters in plain and simple terms that are easy for a mainstream American to grasp. pure and simple—nothing but…; nothing besides… (used in post-position for emphasis): This is envy, pure and simple, and a tax policy based on envy is the worst kind.
Difference between Place of work and Working place
place of work—the office, factory, etc. where a person works: An employee wishing to leave his place of work must give his employer a similar prior notice as described above. working place—a specific location at which a worker executes his work: Shift-man—a man who prepares the working places at night in a colliery for the […]