live off something— 1. use smth. as food: Some animals live off plants, whilst others live off other animals. 2. get enough food or income from smth.: He had lived off his vegetable patch on the farm and off the sales of some cattle. live on something— 1. eat certain food as one’s regular diet: […]
Difference between Live it down and Live it up
live it down—forget smth. bad or embarrassing, such as mistake, failure, etc.: If you were beaten by Jack, you would never live it down. live it up—(coll.) have a very enjoyable and exciting time: Nobody lives for always, but when I live I like to live it up. Note: The expression does not correlate in […]
Difference between Live in the country and Live on the country
live in the country—live in an area that is farmed or remains in an undeveloped state, as distinct from cities: They both came from big cities before they met, and each dreamed of living in the country. live on the country—be able to survive from what one finds in the wild: We took with us […]
Difference between Live in the air and Live in the open air
live in the air— 1. (of birds) spend part of their lives in the air: We have birds that live in the air, those that live on the earth and those that live in the sea. 2. (of viruses, etc.) be able to survive in the open air: Microorganisms can live in the air, on […]
Difference between Live in charity and Live on charity
live in charity—live in the state of generosity and love towards other people: We all have the task of trying to live in charity with one another. live on charity—live on money, food, etc. provided as help to the poor: The family is one of several in Darwin living on charity.
Difference between Live in a fishbowl and Live in a glass house
live in a fishbowl (also: live in a goldfish bowl)—have absolutely no privacy: Life on campus can be like living in a fishbowl. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing. live in a glass house—be particularly vulnerable to criticism (with reference to the proverb “he who lives in a glass house shouldn’t throw stones”): Before […]
Difference between Live by oneself, Live in oneself and Live to oneself
live by oneself—live alone: For twenty-two years Junker lived by himself, completely alone in rooms designed for a nonexistent wife and children. live in oneself—(also: live within oneself ) rely on oneself for ideas, beliefs, etc.: They show us a man ... who lived in himself and for himself. All his opinions were his own, […]
Difference between “Live a cat and dog life” and “live a dog’s life”
live a cat and dog life —(of two people) engage in constant quarreling (also: lead a cat and dog life): The couple had lived a cat-and-dog life almost since their honeymoon. live a dog’s life —(also: lead a dog’s life) lead a wretched unpleasant existence: Warr, unemployed and homeless, was left to live a “dog’s […]
Difference between Little world and Small world
little world— 1. the limited close circle of one’s family and friends: I see a chap who is a sort of great white chief in his own little world. 2. a group of things considered as constituting a unity: The archipelago is a little world within itself, or rather a satellite attached to America. small world […]
Difference between Little thing and Small thing
little thing— 1. a small child: There are the shops where she used to buy me toys when I was a little thing. 2. is used as a term of endearment: Poor little thing! He misses his mammy, you know! 3. smth. unimportant; a mere trifle: I never saw such an excitement over a little thing […]
Difference between Little talk and Small talk
little talk— 1. a brief comment or address: Let me illustrate by a little talk, which I think will have the twang of realism about it. 2. a short conversation: “Mr. Baker and I had a little talk about you today,” Newton said. small talk—light social conversation about unimportant things: After Willoughby was gone, Karen […]
Difference between Little men and Little men with hammers
little men—(also: little people) 1. men who are not tall: For lack of weight they make up by speed, and if they are little men they are the smaller targets. 2. ordinary or undistinguished people: Great men too often have greater faults than little men can find room for. 3. craftsmen or tradesmen doing business […]