let alone —(also: leave alone) not to mention; not counting: It is hard to get a gardener who can prune a gooseberry-bush, let alone raise a cucumber. let well alone —(also: leave well alone) make no change to smth. that is satisfactory (in case one makes things worse): Was he a fool? Could he not […]
Difference between Lending library (UK) and Lending library (U.S.)
lending library (UK)—a library from which books may be taken away without direct payment: He looked a little on the young side … to spend his life in lending libraries. The perpetual student? lending library (U.S.)—a library from which books may be taken away with direct payment: This payment does not cover verification and location […]
Difference between Leg-show and Show a leg
leg-show—a theatrical performance by scantily-dressed women: At a leg-show of these days you saw far less of the female form than is now exhibited in the streets. show a leg—is used to urge people to get up or do smth. with more effort: In the morning, the boatswain’s mate would awaken the crew with the […]
Difference between Left-hand man and Left-handed man
left-hand man—one’s associate who is not really important or effective (a play on the expression “right-hand man”—a person’s chief assistant): When he attempted to characterize me as Gritz’s “right-hand man,” I hastened to point out that I barely qualified as his “left-hand man.” left-handed man—a man who uses chiefly the left hand for ordinary tasks: […]
Difference between Left-hand and Left-handed
left-hand— 1. said of smth. situated on the left side: Carry on past the school and take the left hand turning towards Heddington. 2. said of a car with left-hand steering: By the way, it’s kind of weird drive a left-hand car in a left-hand side lane (a continental car in UK). 3. (of bidirectional […]
Difference between Left at the mercy of someone and Left to the tender mercies of someone
left at the mercy of someone—left in smb.’s absolute power: Once the Roman army withdrew, England was left at the mercy of various marauding tribes. left to the tender mercies of someone—(ironic) left to be dealt with by smb. who is not likely to show any kindness or sympathy: I found her father left to […]
Difference between Lecture in something and Lecture on something
lecture in something—give lectures in a subject to a group of students: Dr. Watson lectures in English literature. lecture on something— 1. lecture to students on a specific topic: This term he is lecturing on the nineteenth-century novelists. 2. give a long talk on a topic to a group of people: He goes round the […]
Difference between Lecture at someone and Lecture to someone
lecture at someone—talk to a person in a sententious, pompous manner: He doesn’t talk to you if you approach him, he lectures at you pedantically. lecture to someone—give a formal talk (to a group of students, etc.): He still finds the time to make frequent visits to Rio Grande University where he lectures to students […]
Difference between Leave someone with something and Leave something with someone
leave someone with something—leave a person in possession of smth. that may be a burden or responsibility: He asked me to hold this parcel for him a moment, then he went off and left me with it. leave something with someone—leave smth. in a person’s care: You won’t actually get to speak to the minister […]
Difference between Leave someone stew and Leave someone stew in one’s own juice
leave someone stew—(also: let someone stew) keep a person in a state of uneasy anticipation or suspense: I knew that the group would be wondering what was going to happen next to them but I decided to leave them stew on it for a while. leave someone stew in one’s own juice —(also: let someone […]
Difference between Leave someone cold and Leave someone out in the cold
leave someone cold—fail to impress or interest a person: An orator may discourse very eloquently on injustice and leave his audience cold. leave someone out in the cold—ignore or abandon smb.: Developing countries might be left out in the cold in current world trade talks. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with […]
Difference between Leave someone alone and Leave someone to oneself
leave someone alone— 1. go away from a person: Her parents had gone on holiday for a week, and left us alone in their big house. 2. (also: let someone alone) abstain from disturbing or interfering with a person: She yelled at me to go away and leave her alone. But I ignored her and […]