be bent on doing something—be determined to do smth.; have the mind set on smth.: There is always a proportion of the crowd bent on harrying the speaker. have a bent for something—have a natural interest and ability in a particular area: James, who had a bent for figures, took care of the financial end […]
Difference between Be beat and Be beaten
be beat—(coll.) 1. (also: be dead-beat) be very tired; be utterly exhausted: I am beat from all this packing and moving of stuff. 2. be defeated in a competition: His team was beat because it failed to execute properly during the most critical moments of the game. be beaten — = be beat 2: The moment […]
Difference between Be bad form and Be in bad form
be bad form—(of manners or behavior) be improper as judged by accepted social standards: It is considered bad form to arrive too early at a dinner party. be in bad form—(Sport) be in bad condition of health and training: Even when Henin is in bad form, you need to have real smart strategy to beat […]
Difference between Be aware of something and Beware of something
be aware of something—have knowledge of smth.; be conscious of smth.: The government is already aware of an insufficient electricity supply. beware of something—(imper.) be on guard against smth.: Beware of the rain … make sure your camera is well-protected if in a side-pocket.
Difference between Be at the crossroads and Cross paths
be at the crossroads—be at a critical turning-point at which two or more courses of action are possible: Students are through with their exams and are now at the crossroads of a choice of career. cross paths—meet or encounter a person: Occasionally they will cross paths, especially to compete in a nationally televised debate arranged by […]
Difference between Be at the back of one’s mind and Cast one’s mind back to something
be at the back of one’s mind —(also: be in the back of one’s mind) be vaguely aware of smth. that is not present in one’s conscious thoughts: There was at the back of his mind an idea, dimly seen at moments, never wholly comprehended. cast one’s mind back to something—think about smth. that happened […]
Difference between Be at someone’s service and Be in someone’s service
be at someone’s service— 1. be ready to help or assist a person: I am at your service whenever you should need my advice. 2. (of things) be at smb.’s disposal or ready to be used: My car is at your service to take you around Rome and its surroundings. Note: The expression is not equivalent […]
Difference between Be at rest and Be resting
be at rest— 1. be in a state of physical or mental repose: He sat in his chair, still, but not at rest: expectant evidently. 2. (of an issue) be settled or decided: I never can take any office under the present rulers; so that question is at rest. 3. (euph.) be dead and buried: He […]
Difference between Be at loose ends and Tie up loose ends
be at loose ends —(also: be at a loose end) 1. be without employment or fixed occupation: He was the only stranger in Cyprus who was thus at a loose end, as it were, and not on some professional duty. 2. be in an unsettled or uncertain situation: He’s at loose ends. Hates his work, […]
Difference between Be at each other’s throats and Cut each other’s throats
be at each other’s throats—be arguing violently; be very angry with each other: We cannot deal with tomorrow’s problems if we are at each other’s throats over economic issues. cut each other’s throats—harm each other’s interests, especially because of fierce competition: They are cutting each other’s throats in their eagerness to finish the work first.
Difference between Be assured of something and Be sure of something
be assured of something— 1. be guaranteed smth.: General Franks is assured of a place in history in a country where former officials are respected even when out of office. 2. have trust in smth.; be positive about smth.: The king was assured of the rectitude of the motives on which he had himself acted. […]
Difference between Be ancient history and Be history
be ancient history—said of a past event that has lost its original impact or importance: For today’s high school students all of that war is ancient history. be history— 1. said of smb. whose career has been brought to an end: We are familiar with that reference: “He is history now,” which condemns some poor […]