on active duty—fighting as a member of the armed forces: This file contains a history card on each Air Force Officer who was on active duty. on duty—engaged in one’s regular work or service: A uniformed sergeant was drinking orange squash because he was on duty.
Difference between On a shoestring and On a string
on a shoestring —(of a business, etc.) run on a very small amount of money: It is said that Henry Ford started his business on a shoestring. on a string—said of smb. completely controlled by a person: Mr. Bradley said he was not a candidate on a string; he had his own convictions.
Difference between On a rope and On a tightrope
on a rope —(of mountain climbers) roped together (also: on the rope): It is a useful loop knot…. Once much used for the middleman on a rope in climbing, but now superseded. on a tightrope—in an extremely precarious situation: He went right back to the IQ … saying that my grades weren’t what they should […]
Difference between On a level and On the level
on a level— 1. at the same height: She had only brogue heels on her feet; and her shoulders were just about on a level with his. 2. of the same rank or quality: His work was highly regarded by the ancients, who placed him on a level with Homer and Sophocles. on the level— […]
Difference between On a large scale and On the large side
on a large scale—said of smth. involving large numbers or a large area: Boston lacks big blocks of land that make housing construction on a large scale more economically feasible. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in large measure—(also: in large part) to a considerable extent: Public—and in large measure also […]
Difference between Old Tom and Tom Collins
Old Tom— 1. a name for a strong variety of gin: The next day a plunger brought a quantity of salvaged goods, mostly in the form of cases of Old Tom gin. 2. a highly flavored strong ale: Old Tom was the second beer we tested during our evening at the Festival. Tom Collins—a cocktail […]
Difference between Old school and Old school tie
old school—said of conservative or old-fashioned views and principles: My grandmother, who was of the old school, said that self-praise was half slander. old school tie—(UK) the clannish loyalty of people who knew each other at public school or a university: The Inspector was tacitly accusing him of favoring his own class—of shielding an “old […]
Difference between Old lady and Old woman
old lady—(also: old girl) 1. one’s wife: The guy who ran it [Ballroom] hated musicians because one of them ran off with his old lady. 2. one’s mother: I was ordered by my old lady (I do not like to use the word mother) to not open any of the doors. What eight year old […]
Difference between Old girl and Old maid
old girl— 1. (coll.) one’s wife (also: old lady): It’s my old girl that advises. She has the head. But I never own to it before her. 2. (coll.) one’s mother (also: old lady): She told my mother to pay for the hospital bills and leave it alone. My old girl paid and I didn’t go […]
Difference between Old boot and Old shoe
old boot—(UK sl.) said of an objectionable, aging, unattractive woman: She was a tough old boot and survived the hip replacement surgery, but had to go to a nursing home. old shoe— 1. said of smth. regarded as outdated or useless: Love should not become an old shoe, it should never wear out or grow […]
Difference between Old before one’s time and Old beyond one’s years
old before one’s time—older in looks or physical condition than is right for one’s age: He was getting old then long before his time. He’d come in from his sermons complaining of rheumatism and the cold. old beyond one’s years—more mature and knowledgeable than others of the same age: Though old beyond her years in […]
Difference between Old Adam and Old as Adam
old Adam—the sinful, incorrigible part of human nature: The best way to keep evil and the old Adam down was to flog the child. old as Adam—said of a person or thing very old: Though old as Adam, love is still the theme that interests all hearts in all countries.