on one’s feet—(also: on one’s legs) 1. standing up while working: He’s on his feet all day at work, and he falls asleep in his chair as soon as he gets home. 2. getting up (to speak, etc.): Gavin had slept armed and was on his feet at once. 3. recovered after an illness: It’s […]
Difference between On one’s ear and Out on one’s ear
on one’s ear—(Austral. sl.) in trouble or difficulties: My dad arrived with his two loads of cows last night. Mamma said he was on his ear when I wasn’t there to meet him. out on one’s ear—(sl.) said of smb. ejected unceremoniously; dismissed from a job, etc.: If you continue to be so late, you’ll […]
Difference between On offer and Under offer
on offer— 1. presented for sale: The few non-pedigree cattle on offer were of moderate class. 2. (of ideas, etc.) proposed; suggested: “How nice!” said Noni, with what passed with her for wit. “Any more great thoughts on offer?” under offer—(of property) provisionally sold prior to the signing of a contract: Three of the farms […]
Difference between On occasion and On the occasion
on occasion— 1. sometimes; from time to time: Three, four, or more forms of the same gene have on occasion been encountered. 2. as need or opportunity arises: A member of the House of Lords … is prepared on occasion to assert his political rights. on the occasion— 1. in this instance: The House proved […]
Difference between On my oath and On oath
on my oath—is said to emphasize that one is telling the truth: I didn’t say anything to him about you, on my oath. on oath—(legal) having sworn to tell the truth (also: under oath): The judge reminded the witness that he was still on oath.
Difference between On line and On the line
on line— 1. (U.S.) in a queue: Museums truly worth visiting are worth standing as New Yorkers say on line for. 2. in active service; operational: He lamented that at the current rate of progress there might be only two fast nuclear reactors on line by 2010. 3. connected to a computer network; available on […]
Difference between On ice and On thin ice
on ice —(coll.) 1. in reserve; in readiness: She’s never been able to find a man good enough for her, and so she’s keeping herself on ice. 2. said of smth. which is a sure thing, a certainty: I haven’t signed on the dotted line yet, but it’s on ice. 3. in detention: Scotland Yard […]
Difference between On hand and On one’s hands
on hand— 1. (also: in hand) available; in one’s possession: The college had $117,000 on hand for the stadium building fund. 2. (also: at hand) within easy reach; close by: Always have your dictionary on hand when you study. 3. present; in attendance: All his old friends will be on hand to see Jack receive […]
Difference between On guard and On one’s guard
on guard— 1. doing duty as a guard: There are soldiers on guard at the gate, to prevent anyone getting in or out. 2. on the alert: The designers of the Sky-rocket had to be on guard against not only the sonic barrier. on one’s guard— = on guard 2: No one can be on […]
Difference between On fire and On the fire
on fire— 1. (of a house, etc.) aflame; burning: Never disturb the senior resident when he’s on his rounds, unless the place is on fire. 2. (of a part of the body) feeling very painful or sore: When I woke up the next morning my throat was on fire. I could barely swallow. 3. enthusiastic […]
Difference between On end and On the end
on end— 1. in an upright position; standing erect: The houses gave to the outskirts of Paris an odd affinity to a city built of dominoes set on end. 2. (of time) continually; without intermission: For hours on end we were subjected to continuous attacks from bombers. on the end —(also: at the end) in […]
Difference between On either hand and On every hand
on either hand— 1. on either one of the hands: There is no need to move your wedding ring. You can wear an anniversary ring on either hand. 2. positioned to right and left; on both sides: See these mountains, standing on either hand, one in the shade and the other in the light. on […]