liable for something—legally responsible for smth.: Is a man liable for his wife’s debts in your country? liable to something— 1. subject to some penalty: If you drive a car to the danger of the public, you make yourself liable to a heavy fine. 2. predisposed to smth.; likely to do smth.: We put ourselves […]
Difference between Level something against someone and Level something at someone
level something against someone—state a charge or criticism against a person: He seems to have quite the tendency of leveling accusations against other people based on pure, thin-air speculation. level something at someone— 1. aim smth., such as a weapon, directly towards smb.: In a moment he was up again, swaying unsteadily on his feet, […]
Difference between Level someone and Level with someone
level someone— 1. knock a person down: However, Cody got cocky. He began to taunt Marshall, who leveled him with a football style tackle. 2. totally baffle a person; render smb. completely helpless: These questions absolutely leveled me. Actually, they still do; I just handle it better. level with someone—(coll.) give smb. one’s honest opinion; […]
Difference between Letterman and Man of letters
letterman—(U.S.) a sportsman who has received some mark of distinction: He holds a Masters degree in Physical Education from the Citadel, where he was a three years letterman in football. Note: The compound does not correlate in meaning with mailman—a person who delivers letters, etc. or collects them from the letter-boxes: Our mail was delivered […]
Difference between Letter box and Mailbox
letter box— 1. (UK) a private box or other container to which mail is delivered: When I came back from holiday the first thing I found in my letter box was a letter refusing my proposal for the TV show. 2. (UK) a narrow opening in a door through which a mailman can push envelopes, […]
Difference between Let’s be having you and Thanks for having me
let’s be having you—is used at public places as a request to move somewhere quickly: Ladies and gentlemen, let’s be having you: the museum closes in ten minutes. thanks for having me—thank you for your hospitality (said as one says goodbye): Thanks for having me, Jo—we’ve all had a lovely time!
Difference between Let the fox guard the henhouse and Put the cat among the pigeons
let the fox guard the henhouse —(also: set the fox to keep the geese) trust a person with smth. that he is especially likely to misappropriate or abuse: Back in 1951, members of the State Department wrote the text of the treaty. Now different people in the State Department are trying to define what was […]
Difference between Let the cat out of the bag and Let the genie out of the bottle
let the cat out of the bag—(accidentally) reveal a secret: A few days later, when I wasn’t around, she let the cat out of the bag. Apparently, she didn’t realize she had ruined a surprise. let the genie out of the bottle—let smth. bad happen that cannot be put right or controlled: The ambassador warned […]
Difference between Let something slide and Let something slip
let something slide— 1. let smth. take its own course: If California was going to cost the Union so much, it would be better to let California slide. 2. neglect or ignore smth. such as one’s work, etc.: She let her lessons slide, preferring the company of her classmates in the residence. 3. (of an […]
Difference between Let someone stew and Let someone stew in one’s own juice
let someone stew—(also: leave someone stew) keep a person in a state of uneasy anticipation or suspense: For one delicious week I let him stew while he begged and pleaded for his career, his marriage, his reputation. let someone stew in one’s own juice —(also: leave someone stew in one’s own juice) leave a person […]
Difference between Let someone off and Let someone off the hook
let someone off—excuse a person; not punish severely enough: “Are you going to let him off?” demanded Denny suspiciously. “You never can be stiff in the back, Charley.” let someone off the hook —(also: get someone off the hook) free a person from difficulty, an embarrassing situation, etc.: The officer was pretty surprised at my […]
Difference between Let someone in for something and Let someone in on something
let someone in for something—involve a person in smth. unpleasant; cause smb. to have trouble: The boy’s careless treatment of the car has let me in for a large repair bill. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase put someone in for something—enter a person for an examination, contest, etc.: How […]