one’s night off—a night free from work usually done at night: Whenever his “night off ” occurred he bought a ticket to the theater. one’s night out—an evening or night spent enjoying oneself in bars, clubs, etc.: For these people Lansdown Fair was, as they put it, their “night out.”
Difference between One’s mind is set and One’s mind wanders
one’s mind is set—one is determined about smth.: His mind was set—not only on earning a degree but also on studying at an elite school. one’s mind wanders—one fails to concentrate: I buy a puzzle book and try to concentrate but my mind wanders. What a week it has been.
Difference between One’s man and One’s own man
one’s man— 1. smb.’s servant or subordinate: He sent one of his men on shore for a commercial intercourse with the natives. 2. smb.’s loyal and trusted man: Kennedy bypassed Secretary of State … when he appointed his man, Averell Harriman, to negotiate a treaty with the Communists. 3. a woman’s husband, or lover: All […]
Difference between One’s lucky number comes up and One’s number comes up
one’s lucky number comes up—said of smb. who is lucky or has good fortune: My lucky number finally came up when I was chosen to go to Los Angeles to represent our company at the conference. one’s number comes up—(also: one’s number is up) 1. one’s turn for an interview, a haircut, etc. arrives: When […]
Difference between One’s life story and Story of one’s life
one’s life story—the account of the career of a person: I must have given her my complete life story and virtually tons of shoptalk about my job. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase life history— 1. = one’s life story: He then started talking to her and she cut […]
Difference between One’s heart is cold and Warm someone’s heart
one’s heart is cold —(also: have a cold heart) said of smb. devoid of sympathy or feeling: If a man forgets an anniversary or neglects to say “I love you,” it doesn’t necessarily mean his heart is cold. warm someone’s heart—(also: warm someone’s blood) make a person feel eager or excited: Letters poured in upon […]
Difference between One’s better half and One’s better self
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 […]