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 […]
Difference between On the contrary and To the contrary
on the contrary— 1. in opposition to what might be expected: She did not exult in her rival’s fall, but, on the contrary, commiserated her. 2. on the other hand: People used to say that a musical was written for musical slobs. Mr. Sondheim, on the contrary, assumes that you have heard some Ravel and […]
Difference between On the clock and On the hour
on the clock—(coll.) 1. said of one’s working time: Hey, get to work, you’re still on the clock, stop loafing. 2. on the dial of a taximeter, speedometer, etc.: Neither vehicle had much mileage on the clock. on the hour—at exactly one o’clock, two o’clock, etc.: Buses for London leave every hour on the hour. […]
Difference between On the chance and On the off chance
on the chance—act on the probability of smth.: Do you want to bet your organization’s security on the chance that everyone will remember to lock down their computers? on the off chance—act on the very remote likelihood of smth.: She flew in from New York on the off-chance of getting tickets to see Becker play […]
Difference between On the book and On the books
on the book— 1. (coll.) on credit: He let me have a couple of bottles on the book. 2. (Theater) on duty as prompter: There is no longer such a job as “prompter.” It is, however, normal practice for there to be a member of the stage-management team “on the book.” on the books— 1. […]
Difference between On the block and On the blocks
on the block—(coll.) 1. offered for sale (at an auction): The Seattle radio station has been on the block for a year with no offers to buy it. 2. at risk; in serious and threatening situation: Her reputation is on the block now, and it’s nobody’s fault but hers. Cf.: put one’s head on the […]
Difference between On the bandwagon and On the wagon
on the bandwagon—participating in what seems likely to be a successful enterprise (supporting a particular candidate, movement, etc. in the hope of a personal gain): Everyone is on the bandwagon it seems, whether through action or just rhetorical agreement. on the wagon—(coll.) abstaining from alcohol: Vince had a weakness: he was an alcoholic. For ten […]