lack for something—have need of smth.; be without smth.: Fish is so plentiful on this coast that the natives never lack for food. lack in something—fail to have enough of smth.: No one who is lacking in musical ability will ever become a professional singer.
Difference between Labor day and Work day
labor day— 1. (Labor Day) a day celebrated in honor of workers, often as a public holiday: The governing committee of the Stock Exchange decided to close on Monday, on account of Labor Day. 2. (in the former U.S.S.R.) a unit of labor calculated according to the expected productivity of a worker: The amount of […]
Difference between Knuckle down to something and Knuckle under to something
knuckle down to something—get down to work and do it with great energy: This is a year of hard work when one must knuckle down to the task at hand. knuckle under to something—obey or yield to smth.: Rebecca has shown great courage in refusing to knuckle under to this pressure.
Difference between Know something by heart and Know something in one’s heart
know something by heart—be able to quote smth. from memory: Few lawyers know by heart the complicated statutes relating to Church matters. know something in one’s heart—realize smth. in the depths of one’s mind: Every soldier knows in his heart that he was not made to fire upon the citizens.
Difference between Know one’s way about and Not know where to turn
know one’s way about—(also: know one’s way around) 1. know how to get from place to place in a neighborhood: John was a very skilled climber; he knew his way about the mountains of Scotland. 2. be extremely knowledgeable or experienced: She could do no better than to put her trust in a man of […]
Difference between Know on which side one’s bread is buttered and Know which way the wind blows
know on which side one’s bread is buttered—know where one’s interest lies: The judges know on which side their bread was buttered. They would strain a point in favor of the highest political opinion of the day. Cf.: butter one’s bread on both sides—be in very comfortable circumstances; be well provided for: He’s got marble […]
Difference between Know best and Know better
know best—know smth. better than anybody else: On the premise that the workers often know best, the firms are forming “quality circles.” These are groups of employees who focus on what can be done to improve output. know better— 1. = know best: Community members often know better how to reach their neighbors with key […]
Difference between Know about someone and Know of someone
know about someone— 1. have knowledge or information about smb.: Knowing what I know about her husband … she is just as delusional as her husband. 2. (negat.) be not sure about a person: I don’t know about John, but I was about ready to fall through the floor with shame. know of someone— = know […]
Difference between Know a trick or two and Know all the tricks of the trade
know a trick or two—be quite shrewd about how to deal with a particular problem: I know a trick or two about how to handle a customer who is angry or upset. know all the tricks of the trade—know every smart way in an activity related to one’s occupation: I could tell by the way […]
Difference between Know a thing or two and Know all the answers
know a thing or two—be quite competent about how to deal with a particular problem: Hopefully he’s the type of rancher who knows a thing or two about how to keep the soil rich and the cows fat. know all the answers —(also: have all the answers) 1. be extremely knowledgeable; be fully informed: In […]
Difference between Knock something off and Knock something out
knock something off— 1. make smth. fall with a push: Just when I put the glass safely down on the table, the cat jumped up and knocked it off. 2. (coll.) write smth. quickly and carelessly: He could knock off a poem in half an hour. 3. (coll.) put a work out of hand; complete […]
Difference between Knock someone up (UK) and Knock someone up (U.S.)
knock someone up (UK)—(coll.) 1. wake a person (by knocking on the door of his room): Sorry to knock you up at this hour, Holmes, but Mrs. Hudson has only just knocked me. 2. tire a person very much (through overwork, etc.): Marianne went there to nurse him and was several nights without sleep, which […]