Derogatory, depreciatory, depreciative, disparaging, slighting, pejorative mean designed or tending to belittle.
Difference between Be poorly and Be poorly off
be poorly—be feeling unwell: “Kate, your mistress is poorly this morning, and prefers you not go in to her.” “Poorly? Oh, but sir, she will want her tea…” be poorly off—have very little money: Many of the Africans who came here as refugees more than a decade ago are still poorly off.
Difference between Downfall and Drawback
Downfall refers to the destruction of something. The Russian Revolution led to Czar Nicholas II’s downfall. Drawback refers to a flaw or problem of some kind. Their plan to camp there had one drawback: too many gnats.
Difference between Be pleased with oneself and Please oneself
be pleased with oneself—be much satisfied with what one does: He was very pleased with himself after he had passed his driving test. please oneself—do whatever one likes, without having to obey others: We don’t have to be back by a certain time; we can just please ourselves.
Depress vs Weigh vs Oppress
Depress, weigh, oppress mean to put such pressure or such a load upon a thing or person as to cause it or him to sink under the weight.
Difference between Down the pike and Down the pipe
Down the pike is the correct phrase. It means something is going to happen. The Pike was originally a huge entertainment area at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Fair goers would commonly say, There’s always something new coming down the Pike.
Deposit vs Precipitate vs Sediment vs Dregs vs Lees vs Grounds
Deposit, precipitate, sediment, dregs, lees, grounds mean matter which settles to the bottom of or is let fall from suspension in a fluid (as air or water).
Difference between Douse and Dowse
Douse means to extinguish or wet thoroughly. The firefighters doused the flames with water most of the night. Dowse means to look for water or minerals with a divining rod. It was common for the pioneers to dowse for water on the trail.
Difference between Be over someone’s head and Hang over someone’s head
be over someone’s head—(also: be above someone’s head) said of smth. too difficult to understand: I bought a handful of photographic magazines and when I got home to read them, I found they were completely over my head. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be in over one’s head—be involved […]
Deplore vs Lament vs Bewail vs Bemoan
Deplore, lament, bewail, bemoan mean to manifest grief or sorrow for something. All carry an implication of weeping or crying which is commonly purely figurative.
Difference between Be out of the woods and Take to the woods
be out of the woods—(often negat.) be finally free from trouble or difficulties (also: be out of the wood): The Prime Minister is by no means out of the woods, and must fight to defend his leadership. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase come out of the woodwork—appear as though out […]
Difference between Doubtful and Dubious
Doubtful means to be uncertain. It’s doubtful if we will ever know who technically won the election. Dubious refers to doubt or uncertainty about something. The official gave a dubious reply when asked about the proposed tax cut.