out of a place—unemployed: Did you hear about Bob? He is out of a place, according to the human resources department. out of place— 1. inappropriate; unacceptable: A man in a round hat is as out of place at a hunt as a man in a tweed suit at a ball. 2. = out of […]
Difference between Out in the blue and Out of the blue
out in the blue— 1. out in the sea or ocean: Scorpionfish can be found around the deeper coral blocks. With a little luck you can see Mantas cruising out in the blue. 2. (RAF, WWII) isolated in the desert, specifically in North Africa: Although “out in the blue” in Bengal, RAF Digri was a […]
Difference between Out in left field and Out in the field
out in left field—(also: way out in left field) 1. (of a person) unusual and eccentric or out of contact with reality: Sally is a lot of fun, but she’s sort of out in left field. 2. (of an idea, answer, etc.) mistaken, strange and illogical: What he said was totally out in left field. […]
Difference between Out front and Up front
out front— 1. in the forefront; in the lead: The advertising campaign put them out front in sales. 2. (Theater) in front of the stage; among the spectators: There is no difference for Falstaff between those on stage and those out front. up front—(of payments) made initially: “How much cash did you have in mind?” […]
Difference between Out cold and Out in the cold
out cold—(coll.) 1. unconscious: He was still out cold but he began coming round just before the ambulance got there. 2. alcohol intoxicated: I was wondering how much more drink it would take before he was out cold. out in the cold—destitute; abandoned: The result would be a bigger dividend for the rest of the […]
Difference between “Out and away” and “Out and out”
out and away— 1. definitely; unquestionably: He was out and away the most brilliant student in the class. 2. far away: There are days when everyone else in the house is out and away and she writes a melancholy note on loneliness. out and out— 1. absolute; unqualified: We are not among the out-and-out admirers […]
Difference between Out and about and Up and about
out and about— 1. moving about to different places: “Did you spend much time at your hotel?” “No we did not. Most of the time we were out and about.” 2. well enough to go out (after an illness): When you’re out and about again, you must come and visit us. up and about— 1. […]
Difference between Other side of the coin and Other side of the hill
other side of the coin, the —(also: other side of the shield, the) a less obvious aspect of a situation showing the disadvantages: He thought it might present an opportunity to put across the other side of the coin. other side of the hill, the— 1. an aspect of a situation which is hidden and […]
Difference between “Order of St. Michael” and “Order of St. Michael and St. George”
Order of St. Michael, the—an old French military order instituted by Louis XI in 1469: King Louis XI founded the Order of St. Michael as a demonstration of his power and eminence in France. Order of St. Michael and St. George, the—an English civil order of knighthood instituted in 1818: He was made Knight Commander […]
Difference between Order book and Orderly book
order book— 1. a book in which orders from customers are entered: The order book at the year-end was satisfactory, comparing very favorably with the position at the end of 1983. 2. (UK) a paper supplied to members of the House of Commons that gives details of the day’s proceedings: A member is required to […]
Difference between Or what and Or whatever
or what—is used as a tag question to ask for confirmation, agreement, or an alternative: Do you want to go to the dance with me or what? or whatever—or any other thing that might be mentioned: You might stay together for the kid’s sake, or maybe you can’t afford to leave or whatever.
Difference between Operating theater and Theater of operations
operating theater—a room for surgical operations: A brisk nurse told us he was going to the operating theater within minutes and not to disturb the patient. theater of operations—the scene of military operations: The theater of operations of an army embraces all the territory it may desire to invade and all that it may be […]