make a business of something—make smth. one’s profession: If you like to travel, you could make a business of transporting other people’s cars to Florida. make it one’s business—consider smth. one’s duty or responsibility: Miss Leatheran had thereupon made it her business to find out exactly what this foreigner was doing in their midst.
Difference between Make a bow and Make one’s bow
make a bow—bow as a sign of respect or as a greeting: Mrs. Everett made a cold bow, and, afflicted with sudden myopia, did not see the hand held out. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase take a bow—bow to acknowledge an introduction, applause, etc.: She received a standing ovation and […]
Difference between Make a big play of something and Make great game of something
make a big play of something—(also: make much play of something) treat smth. as very important in order to make an effect: They get us out of the car and make a big play of examining our papers. make great game of something—make fun of smth.; ridicule smth.: People made great game of the affair […]
Difference between Make a bed and Make one’s bed
make a bed—put a bed in order after it has been used; fit a bed with sheets and blankets so that it is ready to sleep in: A true nurse always knows how to make a bed, and always makes it herself. make one’s bed— 1. = make a bed: I made my way back […]
Difference between Make a bag and Make the bag
make a bag— 1. (Hunting) kill a number of game on a shooting expedition: I was quail-shooting and had made a bag of about a dozen birds by the time I had reached the house. 2. (of a pregnant animal) undergo enlargement of the udder: Femme is dropping in her tummy now, and starting to […]
Difference between Make a bad break and Make a clean break
make a bad break—(coll.) say or do smth. tactless or inappropriate: Belton felt that he had made a bad break and looked around a little uneasily at the principal. make a clean break—separate from a person that one has a connection with: When I suggested a trial separation she said I didn’t have the guts […]
Difference between Made to be sold and Made to sell
made to be sold—said of goods manufactured to be purchased: Village workshop rugs were made to be sold, not used within the tribe in which they were made. made to sell—said of goods manufactured to secure a ready sale without regard to quality: In some cameras, “made to sell,” no care is taken to adjust […]
Difference between Made man and Well-made man
made man—a man whose success or prosperity is assured: And don’t bother your head about losing your job. You’re a made man now. Cf.: self-made man—a man risen to a high position by one’s own effort: He was of the climber type, a selfmade man in the earlier and less inspiring stages of the making. […]
Difference between Made from something and Made of something
made from something—is used with reference to the source material from which smth. different is produced: Cheap alcohol, made from potatoes or beetroot, is utilized to a considerable extent in place of petrol. made of something—is used with reference to the source material which still exists in its original form in the finished product: The […]
Difference between Mad as a March hare and Mad as a wet hen
mad as a March hare—crazy; insane: Anyone who thinks the moon is made of green cheese is mad as a March hare. mad as a wet hen—(also: mad as a hornet) very angry; extremely irritated: Mrs. Harris was mad as a wet hen when the rabbits ate all her tulips. Note: Neither expression fully correlates […]
Difference between Mad about something and Mad for something
mad about something—(coll.) 1. very enthusiastic about smth.; excessively interested in smth.: Most of the folks I’m particularly close to are as mad about sport as I am. 2. very angry about smth.: Viola says she got mad about that interview in the paper, about marriages being broken up. mad for something—(coll.) 1. craving or […]
Difference between Lunar politics and Lunatic policy
lunar politics—said of matters of no practical concern: Hume’s subtle intellect takes up a great many problems and shows us that they are essentially questions of lunar politics. lunatic policy—madly foolish, idiotic policy: I’m afraid we’re a long way from the degree of understanding that is required to change our lunatic policy into a more […]