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 […]
Difference between Opera bouffe and Opera buffa
opera bouffe—a type of light or satirical French opera: Each competitor will have to choose a free extract from an operetta, an opera bouffe or a musical. opera buffa—an Italian comic opera: For Falstaff, time does not exist, since he belongs to the opera buffa world of play and mock action.
Difference between Open up on someone and Open up to someone
open up on someone— 1. start shooting at a person: Just as we reached that spot a group of soldiers opened up on us with rockets, automatic rifles, and grenades. 2. subject a person to a harsh verbal assault or criticism: When we’d killed most of a bottle of wine discussing the literary projects, she […]
Difference between Open town and Wide-open town
open town— 1. (U.S.) a town characterized by a lack of restrictions on places for drinking, gambling, etc.: They form a Committee to clean up San Francisco, and as chairman they take the man who’s been running it as an open town for sixteen years. 2. an undefended town exempt from enemy bombardment because of […]
Difference between Open to someone and Open with someone
open to someone—(of a shop, restaurant, etc.) accessible to people who may come: The library is not open to the public this week. open with someone—willing to honestly and frankly talk about things with another person: Parents should try to be open with their children.
Difference between Open sea and Open water
open sea— 1. the part of the sea not closed in by land (not a bay or harbor): A “black south-easter,” the wind most feared on this coast, forced most of the fleet to run for open sea. 2. the part of the sea outside the territorial jurisdiction of any country: The real place of […]
Difference between Open question and Open-end question
open question—an issue not yet finally decided that can still be discussed: There was no clear resolution on this except to note that this remains an open question. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase open to question—used of statements, assertions, etc. that are doubtful and subject to challenge or disagreement: […]
Difference between Open house and Open housing
open house— 1. said of general hospitality and readiness to welcome guests at any time: Their home was an open house where the door was never locked and everyone was welcome. 2. a social event, such as a presentation, which everybody can attend: The format of the meeting was an open house in which the […]
Difference between Open-armed and Open-handed
open-armed—ready to receive people with enthusiasm: There they are, all waiting open-armed for tourists to arrive. When I traveled in April, the hotels were brim-full. open-handed—treating people in a generous, liberal way: Being an open-handed woman, Kathleen offered to read my manuscript (which was still in the typewritten stage).
Difference between Open a can of worms and Open up a can of whoop-ass
open a can of worms—create a situation that will cause much trouble or scandal: The investigation into how these expensive trips were paid for opened a can of worms. Cf.: open a whole new can of worms—expose a lot of new serious problems: They aren’t saying that it is immutable, but that if you start […]