off season—(also: out of season) 1. at a wrong period: Because Eritrea was born off season, the world continues to put unfair demands on it and question its legitimacy. 2. said of a period of time other than the busiest or most popular for a particular activity: The country’s tourism sector would not immediately be […]
Difference between Off one’s stroke and On the stroke
off one’s stroke—(coll.) disconcerted or confused: Not that I enjoyed being shelled … but fear never paralyzed me or even pushed me off my stroke. on the stroke— 1. (of a clock or bell) on the point of striking or ringing: He dressed himself hurriedly, for the dinner bell was almost on the stroke as […]
Difference between Off one’s own bat and Off the bat
off one’s own bat—(coll.) 1. by one’s own efforts: I felt that I’d like to get some money off my own bat. 2. on one’s own initiative: Don’t think I’m being nosey, but you never tell me anything off your own bat. off the bat—(coll.) on the spot; right away: McGowan was also striving to […]
Difference between Off one’s head and Off one’s mind
off one’s head—(coll.) crazy or behaving as if mad (also: out of one’s head): He must be off his head to go jogging in this weather. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase off the top of one’s head—(coll.) without proper consideration; in an impromptu manner: He was impetuous and inclined […]
Difference between Off one’s hands and Out of one’s hands
off one’s hands—no longer under one’s responsible charge: The lawyer planned a vacation as soon as the case was off his hands. out of one’s hands—not within one’s competence or responsibility: I tried to prevent your name being dragged in, but the situation was out of my hands. See also: off hand / out of […]
Difference between Off one’s game and Off the game
off one’s game —(of a sportsman) playing badly: I backed Tommy when most folk thought he was off his game! off the game —(of a sportsman) not playing: When I am off the game or off work, the first few days I would like to relax at home with my family. Note: The expression is […]
Difference between Off one’s feed and On the feed
off one’s feed— 1. (of animals or fish) being without appetite: If the fish are off their feed, or won’t eat at a time when they normally would, then you have some evaluation steps to take. 2. (coll., of people) feeling unwell or in low spirits: He confided to Bee that the dear old Squire […]
Difference between Off one’s block and Off the blocks
off one’s block—(Austral. sl.) crazy, eccentric, or foolish: Lexus is actually lying, or merely mistaken. Jeniard looks like he thinks Lexus is off his block. off the blocks —(also: out of the blocks)—said of a fast start of an activity: One of the first off the blocks has been Sainsbury which is set to launch […]
Difference between Off one’s beam and Off the beam
off one’s beam —(coll.) crazy or behaving as if mad: I think the guy up there who said he was poor and proud of it is off his beam. off the beam—wide of the mark; wrong: He acknowledged that sunny predictions by some in the administration were off the beam.
Difference between Off hand and Out of hand
off hand—without preliminary preparation or consideration: I cannot give you the information off hand. out of hand— 1. immediately; without delay: The situation needs to be dealt with out of hand. 2. out of control: For a moment there was great danger of a “rough house” out of hand. See also: off one’s hands / […]
Difference between Off color and Without color
off color— 1. (coll.) feeling unwell or in low spirits: Maybe you just felt off-color for a few days after the sunbathing. 2. (of a joke, etc.) slightly indecent or distasteful: That joke you told was off color and embarrassed her. 3. not of the best kind or quality: He had mighty little English, and […]
Difference between Off–Broadway and Off-off Broadway
off–Broadway—is used of the New York experimental theaters located in an area other than Broadway: The play began life at an off–Broadway theater. off-off Broadway—is used of the most radical or avant-garde of New York theaters: Off-Broadway and off-off Broadway are for those who genuinely love theater.