let someone down—disappoint a person; fail to support or aid smb.: I leave it to you, Stephen. I know you’ll not let me down. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase let up on someone—treat a person less harshly or severely: By the time Jon turned eight, our financial problems became […]
Difference between Let one’s hair down and Put one’s hair up
let one’s hair down—(also: let one’s back hair down) throw off restraint in one’s behavior: Those who are doomed to a life of formality look forward to the week-end when they can let their hair down. put one’s hair up—assume adult responsibilities: Lively young thing, I recall—but she’ll have put her hair up by now. […]
Difference between Let off steam and Put on steam
let off steam—(also: blow off steam) give vent to one’s repressed emotions (by talking in an unrestrained manner, etc.): This special session will give politicians a chance to let off steam. put on steam—(also: get up steam) build up strength or energy; become more active: Get on a little faster; put a little more steam […]
Difference between Let it all hang out and Let it go hang
let it all hang out—(coll.) let the truth be known; not disguise anything: No names, of course, will be used; he doesn’t expect everyone will be as willing as he is to let it all hang out. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase hang it all—(exclam.) used to express one’s anger, […]
Difference between Let go of something and Let go with something
let go of something—stop holding smth.; release smth.: As soon as I let go of the leash, the dog ran away. let go with something—give vent to laughter, angry words, etc.: The lawyer let go with a vicious attack on the tactics of his opponent. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase let […]
Difference between Let go of someone and Let someone go
let go of someone—stop holding a person: He shouted at the cops, “Let go of me! You have to let go of me!” let someone go— 1. allow smb. to leave: Taking the man prisoner might jeopardize the mission, so he decides to let the prisoner go. 2. discharge a person from employment: Since we […]
Difference between Let alone and Let well alone
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 […]