lame duck— 1. an officeholder who has been defeated for reelection or is not seeking reelection: Tony Blair made himself a lame duck by stating that he would not fight a fourth general election. 2. a person or thing considered as weak or unfortunate: I did find myself waiting for the end to come, which […]
Difference between Lake State and Salt Lake State
Lake State, the—(U.S.) a nickname of the state of Michigan: Michigan is also known as the Lake State, or the Great Lakes State (which appears on the state license plates) for its proximity to Lake Michigan. Salt Lake State, the—(U.S.) a nickname of the State of Utah: The only “non–Mormon” nickname is the Salt Lake […]
Difference between Laid on the shelf and Left on the shelf
laid on the shelf —(also: put on the shelf ) 1. discharged from service (for reason of age, etc.): He had been laid on the shelf for cowardice in one of the engagements between the Dutch and the English. 2. (of problems, etc.) postponed to be considered later if at all: The theory of evolution […]
Difference between Lady of honor and Maid of honor
lady of honor— 1. (Fr.: damme d’honeur) unmarried woman attending a queen or princess: At night, Her Majesty’s ladies of honor came and conducted her to the apartments. 2. a woman with a reputation for loyalty, truthfulness, etc.: How dare you affront an upstanding woman like that sir? I am a lady of honor and […]
Difference between Ladies’ maid and Ladies’ man
ladies’ maid—a lady’s personal servant, especially in charge of her toilet: Ladies traveling alone would never have traveled third class. Even ladies’ maids always traveled second. ladies’ man—a man who is fond of female company (also: woman’s man): They told me you were not a ladies’ man, Mr. Smirke.
Difference between “Ladies first” and “Women and children first”
ladies first—is used as an allusion to polite procedure in serving food, entering a vehicle, etc.: Mr. Collins pulled open the doors from inside the hall. “Now,” he said, “Ladies first…” women and children first—is used as an allusion to the accepted order of precedence in rescue work: John’s intent on making us a nation […]
Difference between Lack for something and Lack in something
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 […]