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 regarded as outdated or useless: Love should not become an old shoe, it should never wear out or grow […]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.
Difference between Oil spot strategy and Oil-spot someone
oil spot strateg y—(Military) a tactic to secure an area to be used as a launch site for campaigns to other areas: The oil spot strategy is translated from the French tache d’huile, calling up the image of a stain that spreads out from a tiny spot. oil-spot someone—(Bus tours) accidentally leave behind a member […]
Difference between Offset something and Set something off
offset something— 1. counterbalance smth.: More had to be shifted to the opposite side of the plane to offset the weight of just two passengers. 2. compensate for smth.; neutralize smth.: Grants to public post-secondary institutions should be increased to offset the effect of inflation. set something off— 1. cause smth. to explode: When they […]
Difference between Offer one’s thanks and Thanks offering
offer one’s thanks—express one’s gratitude: First and foremost, I offer my thanks to John Meredith, who bore with me through the often frustrating production process. thanks offering—donation made to a charity, a religious organization, etc. as an expression of gratitude: In early Bible times the Israelites set aside part of their crops (grain, grapes and […]
Difference between Offense against something and Offense at something
offense against something—a violation or breach of a law, custom, rule, etc.: What is sin? It is an offense against religious or moral law. offense at something—feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or resentment at smth.: Humphrey expressed offense at yet another anti–gay marriage bill to be taken up in the Legislature.
Difference between Off work and Out of work
off work— 1. not working temporarily (owing to illness, etc.): Steven was off work last week. He had been bitten by the family dog. 2. not engaged in work: This was the first time she was going to see me during the day because she was off work. out of work—unemployed; unable to obtain work: […]
Difference between Off the shelf and On the shelf
off the shelf—(usually of clothing ) made in standard sizes and available from stock, in contrast to items made to order (also: off the peg ): Few would buy off the shelf clothes if tailor-made clothes were as cheap and as available. on the shelf— 1. in a state of inactivity or uselessness: The question […]