on the spot— 1. at the place where one’s presence is needed: The police were on the spot very soon after the accident happened. 2. then and there; immediately: When Tom ruined an expensive machine, his boss fired him on the spot. 3. (coll.) in a difficult situation; in trouble (also: in a spot): He […]
Difference between On the rope and On the ropes
on the rope —(of mountain climbers) roped together: At about 6 we got to where we could unrope—having been 48 hours on the rope. on the ropes— 1. (of a boxer) forced back on to the ropes: Referee Brimmell stepped in to save Scot after the challenger had pinned him on the ropes for fully […]
Difference between On the right tack and On the tack
on the right tack—following the right course of action: I think you are on the right tack in trying to see them. It’s better than to carry on the affair by correspondence. on the tack —(sl.) abstaining from alcohol: It’s no good asking him to have a drink; he has been on the tack for […]
Difference between On the pill and On the pills
on the pill—said of a woman taking contraceptive pills regularly: Women who go on the pill have to try out several different brands before they find the right one. on the pills—on medication to treat an illness: Julia went through a pretty bad time after the accident—on the pills, seeing psychiatrists and what have you.
Difference between On the other side of the fence, On the other side of the hill and On the other side of the tracks
on the other side of the fence—on the side of the opposition: You fight all your life for something and then before you know where you are you’re on the other side of the fence fighting against it. on the other side of the hill—in the latter part of one’s life: I had to go […]
Difference between On the nail and To the nail
on the nail—(coll.) 1. (of payments) made on the spot: You know how I am; if I can’t pay on the nail, I don’t buy. 2. exactly right: Michael Miller directs the film with conviction, and the playing is on the nail. to the nail —(dated) most thoroughly (also: to a nail): My speech was […]
Difference between On the house and On the premises
on the house—said of food or beverages offered at the expense of the owner of the establishment: We were given a couple of drinks on the house and a complimentary bottle of wine. Cf.: one on the city—(joc.) a glass of water (provided free of charge): “What will you have?” “Oh, just give me one […]
Difference between On the go and On the move
on the go —(coll.) 1. (also: on the trot) constantly busy moving from one task to another: The ladies were kept on the go by a continuous round of making refreshments and then washing 2. about to take one’s leave: The guest was on the go for half an hour though the host began to […]
Difference between On the floor and On the shop floor
on the floor— 1. in a movie or TV studio: I’ll make a shooting script…. It’ll be something you can go on the floor with. 2. (of a film) being shot; in production: At Elstree, only one film, the Guinea Pig, is on the floor. 3. (Parliament) in the part where the members sit: Their […]
Difference between On the downhill side and On the downhill slide
on the downhill side— 1. older than the age specified: I backpacked in the Grand Canyon with my fiance, Paul. Not bad for someone who is on the downhill side of fourty. 2. said of a bad situation which may be getting progressively worse: Evangelical Christians agree—America is on the downhill side of decadence. on […]
Difference between On the dot and To the dot
on the dot—exactly at a given time; at the precise moment: We were to dine with the Prousts at seven and we reached their house on the dot. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase off one’s dot—(sl.) crazy or behaving as if mad: And you have to act up like […]
Difference between On the cutting edge of something and On the razor’s edge of something
on the cutting edge of something —(also: at the cutting edge of something ) involved in the most advanced developments in a particular field: The Museum has remained on the cutting edge of science education by developing innovative and interactive programs. on a razor’s edge of something —(also: on the knife-edge of something ) on […]