on edge—in an irritable state; very nervous or agitated: I was on edge all the time and the smallest thing would make me cry. on the edge— 1. on the point of smth.: We are on the edge of losing many fundamental rights and at the top of the list is the right to privacy. […]
Difference between On deck and On the deck
on deck —(coll.) 1. available and ready for action: Behind and off stage, a large stage crew are on deck to change scenes and regulate the lighting and sound. 2. alive: Don’t tell me old Bill’s still on deck. I thought he died years ago. on the deck—(RAF) on the ground; on the landing-ground: I […]
Difference between On commission and On the commission
on commission—receiving a percentage of the proceeds of goods sold: These jobs are all on commission only. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in commission— 1. in the exercise of delegated authority: When the treasury was in commission, the junior lords had sixteen hundred a year each. 2. (of a […]
Difference between On board and On the board
on board— 1. on a ship, aircraft, or public vehicle: The life of a boy on board a ship isn’t one to be envied, he is at every one’s beck and call. 2. said of smb. working with an organization or a group of people: We are in the process of interviewing applicants and hope […]
Difference between On at someone and On to someone
on at someone—(coll.) nagging smb. persistently; trying to persuade a person to do smth.: His wife’s forever on at him to do something about the fence. on to someone— 1. = on at someone: She’s been on to me to buy her a new coat for a year. 2. aware of smb.’s true nature: You […]
Difference between “On again, off again“ and ”On and off“
on again, off again—(also: off again, on again) subject to frequent change: The plans for the fireworks display were on again, off again because of the rainy and windy weather. on and off—(also: off and on) from time to time; not regularly: I tried a variety of diets on and off. Finally, with my wedding […]
Difference between On active duty and On duty
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 […]