pay a compliment to someone—(also: make a compliment to someone) express praise or admiration for a person in a remark: Rhonda pays a compliment to her husband, Mike, for staying as loving as he was when they first met. pay one’s compliments to someone —(also: make one’s compliments to someone) express good wishes or respect […]
Difference between Pavement artist (UK) and Pavement artist (U.S.)
pavement artist (UK)— 1. (also: flagstone artist) an artist who draws on paving stones with colored chalks, hoping to be given money by passers-by: No one but the pavement artist can have any notion of how great the amount of dust is in London’s streets. 2. (sl.) an espionage agent engaged in street surveillance on […]
Difference between Patrol car and Patrol wagon
patrol car—a police car used in patrolling roads and streets: Our patrol car got the call as “shots fired,” with the address given. My partner and I responded. patrol wagon— 1. = patrol car: The patrol wagon, filled with officers, was driven to the place at a breakneck speed. 2. (U.S.) a police van for […]
Difference between Patient of something and Patient with someone
patient of something—enduring suffering, etc. patiently without complaining: He was most patient of injuries done to himself, yet he would not endure any injury done to the name of Christ. patient with someone—able to control one’s feelings in dealing with a person: He was always very kind and patient with me, as he was with […]
Difference between Pass the time and Pass the time of day
pass the time—spend one’s time; make one’s time less tedious or monotonous: Confined to his bed for a whole week, Smith passed the time catching up on his reading. pass the time of day—exchange greetings or engage in small talk with a person: Although I have spoken to him a number of times, it was […]
Difference between Pass something away, Pass something off and Pass something out
pass something away —(of time) spend in a pleasant, easy way: He passed the evening away looking at his collection of stamps. pass something off— 1. choose not to notice smth.; ignore smth.: The remark was intended as rudeness, but he passed it off with a laugh. 2. (of forged currency, checks, etc.) put into […]
Difference between Pass one’s word and Pass the word
pass one’s word—(also: pass one’s word of honor) give a pledge or promise: Half the sum was raised and Dundee is said to have passed his word for the remainder. pass the word—(also: pass word) give an oral order or instruction: Rafferty would pass word to certain stool pigeons to keep their eyes and ears […]
Difference between Pass away, Pass off and Pass out
pass away— 1. cease to exist; disappear: When he laid his hands on me my headache and chest pains passed away. 2. (euph.) die: I’m sorry to hear that your dear uncle passed away last week. pass off— 1. = pass away 1: These pains [in Caisson disease] pass off in a few hours. 2. […]
Difference between Pas de deux and Two-step
pas de deux—(Fr.) a dance in ballet: They were wonderful, their pas de deux to the adagio a beautiful example of the Balanchine style. two-step—an American ballroom dance developed in the 1880s: The two-step gradually came to replace the waltz as the preferred social dance of the time.
Difference between Party girl and Party man
party girl—a young woman employed to entertain men, especially at social events: He had never thought of asking himself what she was, inside of the hard shell of her disguise as the party girl. party man—a man characterized by strong loyalty to a political party and its policies: Although a party man, he was by […]
Difference between Particular about something and Particular in something
particular about something— 1. not easily satisfied or pleased with smth.: I am highly discriminating and may be especially particular about my diet. 2. especially sensitive about smth.: You see, Aunt Polly’s awful particular about this fence—right here on the street, you know … it’s got to be done very careful… particular in something— 1. […]
Difference between Partake in something and Partake of something
partake in something—(formal) take part or share in smth: It is not to be imagined that the entire Irishry partook in this desire of renouncing their ancient customs. partake of something—(formal) 1. eat or drink some of the food or beverages: He refused to partake of the modest meal Serafina had prepared. 2. have some […]