nursery-girl—(also: nurserymaid) a woman looking after young children: She took it into her head to go to Boston, as a nursery girl, where she lived a few months. nurseryman—a man who owns, or works in, a nursery for plants: When their toddler handed them an acorn from the tree, Meyers, a nurseryman, planted it in […]
Difference between Number two and Number twos
number two— 1. the person immediately subordinate to the head of an organization: When David could not attend a meeting, he sent his number two to deputize for him. 2. (euph.) is used of the act of defecation: The child is early taught to refer to his needs as “number one” and “number two.” number […]
Difference between Number one and Number ones
number one— 1. (attrib.) first-rate; principal: One small folded letter on blue paper bearing a 12-pence stamp will be the number one feature. 2. head of an organization, etc.: Gorbachev’s aim was to integrate farm production and food processing. Now, as number one, he could impose his own plan. 3. (coll.) oneself or one’s own interests: […]
Difference between A number of and The number of
number of, a—some; several: This organization offers a number of books describing rock art sites. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase any number of—(also: numbers of ) a sufficiently large number: I had any number of reasons not to buy the computer. number of, the—the quantity or amount of smth.: […]
Difference between Now, now and Now then
now, now— 1. is used as a friendly way of telling smb. not to behave in a particular way: Now, now, there’s no need for name calling. I raised you better than that! 2. is used as a friendly way of trying to comfort a person: “Now, now,” the doctor said, taking her gently by […]
Difference between “Now and again” and “Time and again”
now and again—(also: now and then) occasionally; from time to time: The tourist may now and again have to drive for many hours together through pine woods. time and again—(also: again and again) habitually; repeatedly: Time and again, he has proven to be reliable, conscientious, and diligent.
Difference between Nothing to write home about and That’s all she wrote
nothing to write home about—said of smth. that is nothing out of the ordinary or even inferior: Everything I bought was much more expensive, and the quality was nothing to write home about. that’s all she wrote—said when there is nothing more that one can say about smth.: We went out twice—once to the movies […]
Difference between Nothing but and Nothing if not
nothing but—nothing other than; only that particular thing: There is also a female sect called the Abstinents who make a vow to eat nothing but vegetables. nothing if not—is used to emphasize that a person or thing has a lot of that particular quality: Brunel was nothing if not determined, and by September the ship […]
Difference between Note paper and Notice paper
note paper—paper used for writing letters on: The letter, dated 15 September, was on notepaper headed “Executive Committee.” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase music paper—paper ruled with the musical staff, for the use of musicians, etc.: Paul then played and sang it for me, and I wrote the notes […]
Difference between Not turn a hair and Turn of a hair
not turn a hair— 1. not show any sign of being troubled: Catherine adapted to the wilds of Africa amazingly well—she did not turn a hair at having lions walking past the back door. 2. be not affected by exertion: Hot! He had not turned a hair till we came to Walcot Church; …that horse […]
Difference between Not too hot and Too hot to handle
not too hot—(coll.) 1. not very good or satisfactory: A program denouncing the evils of capitalist society is matched by one showing that things under socialism are not too hot either. 2. (also: not so hot) feeling not so well: I woke up today feeling not too hot. My throat is sore and I think […]
Difference between Not to say and To say nothing of
not to say—is used to imply that one is content with a more moderate statement than that which might have been made: It is one of the handsomest counties … the farmers are as a whole well-to-do, not to say rich. to say nothing of—is used to emphasize the point by adding extra information: Much […]