one fine day—(also: one day) 1. at some distant time in the future (used as a promise or prophecy): Neither was I to know that I should one fine day have a son who would make me very proud of him. 2. on a certain day in the past: But one fine day in early […]
Difference between One could do with something and One couldn’t do with something
one could do with something— 1. one could make use of or benefit from smth.: You look as if you could do with a wash and brush up. Cf.: one could do without something—one could dispense with smth.; one could manage in spite of not having smth.: There were times when physicists ran from philosophers, being […]
Difference between One could care less and One couldn’t care less
one could care less —(coll.) one is completely uninterested; one does not care at all: He is a lethargic guy who drifts along from day to day. If a bill doesn’t get paid he could care less. one couldn’t care less— = one could care less: Though he was great with clients, he couldn’t care […]
Difference between One can’t be bothered and One is not bothered
one can’t be bothered—(coll.) one does not have enough interest or energy to do smth.: Sometimes I can’t be bothered to go to the gym, sometimes I can’t be bothered to do anything at all. one is not bothered—(coll.) is used to say that smth. is not important to a person: “Do you want tea […]
Difference between One can do worse than and One cannot do better than
one can do worse than—one would be well-advised to act in a particular way: It’s interesting work, and one can do worse than be part of the creative team. one cannot do better than— = one can do worse than: He cannot do better than buy the Michelin Guide to France and tour the two- […]
Difference between One can but and One cannot but
one can but—one cannot do otherwise than: I can but be your friend and guide and give you the benefit of my experience. one cannot but— = one can but: I cannot but be glad that he does not love you; yet it fills me with grief to see that this pains you.
Difference between Once again and Once and again
once again—once more; another time: I’ll explain it once again, but please listen carefully this time. once and again—repeatedly: If you don’t want to be repetitive, using the same word once and again you have a Thesaurus option.
Difference between On top and Up top
on top— 1. resting on smth.: An imposing enamel teapot stands on top, quietly stewing. 2. in the lead; winning: The horse that everyone had expected would be on top actually came in third. 3. (also: at the top) in a position of power or authority: The men on top are always trampling down those […]
Difference between On the wrong side of the tracks and On the wrong track
on the wrong side of the tracks —(also: on the other side of the tracks) in the less respectable or the poorer part of a town: We went to a school which was on the wrong side of the tracks, and we all got a fine education. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning […]
Difference between On the wing and On wings
on the wing— 1. (of birds) in flight: They spend at least nine months of the year continuously on the wing. 2. in motion; moving swiftly: Pope’s constitutional irritability kept him constantly on the wing. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase on a wing and a prayer—relying on good fortune […]
Difference between On the view and On view
on the view—on close inspection: He walked round the three companies of horsemen, and pronounced on the view, that Montague and Fox were duly elected. on view—exhibited; on display: The latest model of the car is on view at our showrooms.
Difference between On the up and On the up and up
on the up—(UK coll.) improving or becoming more successful: Business was on the up, and Pete started employing people to help him fulfill orders. on the up and up—(U.S. coll.) 1. honest and trustworthy: I kept telling her the whole thing had been strictly on the up and up, but she wouldn’t listen. 2. = […]