one’s better half —(also: one’s other half ) one’s spouse (usually one’s wife): In our house, I do the cooking and my better half does the clean-up. one’s better self—the better part of one’s nature; the ideal self: My Utopian self is, of course, my better self—according to my best endeavors…
Difference between One wouldn’t say boo to a goose and One wouldn’t shout if a shark bit him
one wouldn’t say boo to a goose—said of an extremely shy person: Her taste in movies was pretty unusual for someone who wouldn’t say boo to a goose. one wouldn’t shout if a shark bit him—(Austral. sl.) said of an extremely mean and miserly person: If you don’t shout the next round of drinks, you […]
Difference between One will have it and One won’t have it
one will have it—one claims or asserts smth. strongly: He will have it that our plan is impracticable. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase let someone have it—(coll.) 1. give smb. a beating: He really let the other man have it when they got into a fight. 2. scold or […]
Difference between One way ride and One way street
one way ride—(Underworld) a murder carried out by criminals who take their victim on a car journey: …Charlie Luciano—now nicknamed Lucky on account of a one way ride that he came back from. one way street—(also: one way ticket) a situation pointing or developing in one direction only: This is a one-way street. If someone […]
Difference between One way or another and One way or the other
one way or another— 1. (also: in one way or another) by some means or other: They thought always about winning, and, one way or another, they almost always did win. 2. for any of various reasons: Captain Fitzgibbon wouldn’t come back from that last Ulster tour, one way or another. one way or the […]
Difference between One step ahead and One step further
one step ahead—a small advantage in a competitive situation: Credit card companies are turning to so-called smart cards in an effort to keep at least one step ahead of the scammers. one step further—at a more advanced level: If we can transfer this knowledge to the society we are one step further and the World […]
Difference between One-on-one and One-to-one
one-on-one—(attrib.) 1. involving a direct contact between one person and another: Our school offers both one-on-one instruction with your own teacher and group instruction. 2. playing or fighting directly against a single opponent: I was quickly engaged in one-on-one combat with a tall, lean warrior apart from the central conflict. one-to-one— 1. said of pairing […]
Difference between One of these days and One of those days
one of these days— 1. (also: one of these fine days) at some time in the future that may be very soon (used as a promise or prophecy): One of these days he will find a farm to let, big enough to bring up little children on it. 2. said of a day that is […]
Difference between One in a thousand and A thousand to one
one in a thousand—said of a rare exception: He is a marvel of good humor, consideration and dignity—one in a thousand… a thousand to one —said of a very great possibility: Don’t stray off the track!— if you do, it is a thousand to one you will never find it again.
Difference between One has no time for someone and One hasn’t got all day for someone
one has no time for someone—(coll.) is used to say that one strongly disapproves of the person mentioned: I have no time for people who preach equality and then take their holidays in the Bahamas. one hasn’t got all day for someone—(coll.) is used to say that one does not have any more time to […]
Difference between One had better and One had rather
one had better—said of smth. one should or must do for some practical reason: I decided I had better contact Farooq straightaway. I phoned both numbers from the hotel. one had rather—(also: one would rather) is used to indicate preference: I had rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the […]
Difference between One has to go and One has to go some
one has to go—(euph.) one needs to visit a washroom: I am unable to wait to use the restroom a lot of times that I have to go. one has to go some—(coll.) one must try harder or have to improve: For sheer results from a first-year garden in “totally worthless” soil, you’ll have to […]