off again, on again—(also: on again, off again) subject to frequent change: The weather was terrible, so the mission was off-again on-again. The fighter escort was never able to get off… off and on—(also: on and off ) from time to time; not regularly: It’s been raining off and on since I got home, and […]
Difference between Of one’s own and On one’s own
of one’s own—said of smth. belonging to a person: The eldest boy Charles was of an age to be flying off and building a nest of his own. on one’s own— 1. relying on one’s own effort, ability, etc.: Muller was on his own in a strange town, in a foreign land. 2. alone; by […]
Difference between Of no effect and To no effect
of no effect—(predic.) useless; unsuccessful (also: of no avail): Such an authorization, if given, was of no effect since it would be contrary to statute and regulation. to no effect—(also: to no avail) 1. unsuccessfully; in vain: Senators in the past have called for similar changes but to no effect. 2. = of no effect: There […]
Difference between Of no consideration and On no consideration
of no consideration—(also: of no account) not important; insignificant in the eyes of others: In our day it seems incredible that the landscape was at one time of no consideration to artists. on no consideration—(also: on no account) certainly not; in no circumstances: On no consideration will he allow gambling. He has been proof against […]
Difference between Of no avail and To no avail
of no avail—(predic.) useless; unsuccessful (also: of no effect): All their efforts to save him from his folly were of no avail. to no avail—(also: to no effect): 1. unsuccessfully; in vain: We pulled him out of the river and tried to revive him, but to no avail. 2. = of no avail: The interviewee […]
Difference between Of no account and On no account
of no account—(also: of no consideration) not important; insignificant in the eyes of others: “His grandfather was a distinguished man.” “Was he?” replied the man of Chicago. “That’s of no account with us.” on no account—(also: on no consideration) certainly not; in no circumstances: The British Trade Union representative will, on no account, be late […]
Difference between Of long standing and Of standing
of long standing—firmly established by long duration: She returned to her roots, working in watercolor on silk, a tradition of long standing in her native China. of standing—said of a person of high position, status, or reputation: Mr. Hogben is himself a scientist of standing as well as a humanist.
Difference between Of all sorts and Of sorts
of all sorts—various; of all kinds: His ante-rooms were thronged with clients of all sorts. of sorts—(also: of a sort) of poor quality; not fully deserving the name: “Have you any profession?” “I’m a schoolmaster of sorts.”
Difference between Of age and Of an age
of age— 1. having reached a certain age: All children must receive full-time education until they are at least fifteen years of age. 2. legally an adult: The legacy left him by his father is in the hands of trustees, as he is not yet of age. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning […]
Difference between Of a sort and Of the sort
of a sort—(also: of a kind) 1. of poor quality; not fully deserving the name: There always are, or seem to be, celebrations of a sort on a twenty-firster. 2. of the description mentioned: One intriguing use of games is “cognitive experimentation,” of a sort that should appeal to linguists and logicians. Note: The expression […]
Difference between Of a size and Of some size
of a size—having the same size: They were both of a size, rather smaller than I am, and happy in each other’s company whenever they got a chance. of some size—fairly large: We can trace the history of these quantitative variations … only when the differences between them are of some size.
Difference between Of a kind and Of the kind
of a kind—(also: of a sort) 1. of poor quality; not fully deserving the name: He regards himself, I think, as an artist of a kind. 2. of the description mentioned: In his psychiatric practice Peck encountered people of a kind that psychiatry had yet to define. 3. (in the phrase “two of a kind”) […]