in the box—(coll.) 1. in the jury box: By his country, represented by twelve men in a box, he will be tried. 2. in a refrigerator: “Beer’s in the box,” he pointed to the fridge in the kitchen and jostled back toward the den. 3. live in extremely confined, second-rate quarters: You live in a […]
Difference between In the bottom of the bag and In the bottom of the barrel
in the bottom of the bag—(also: at the bottom of the bag) remaining as a last resource or possibility: If this be done, which is in the bottom of the bag, and must be done, we shall be able to buoy up our reputation. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase […]
Difference between In the blinking of an eye and Without blinking an eye
in the blinking of an eye—very quickly: Mrs. Shaw’s mood changes in the blinking of an eye during an hour long interview—sullen one moment, warm and witty the next. without blinking an eye—without hesitation or remorse: Why is the police chief, a loving family man at home, able to torture a man to the edge […]
Difference between In the air and Up in the air
in the air— 1. not inside a house or building: We have taken our last walk in the air and having succeeded in tiring ourselves feel free to go to bed unashamed. 2. aboard an aircraft; in flight: After all, Short’s Empire class flying boats fifty years ago could offer a bed in the air. […]
Difference between In spirit and In spirits
in spirit—inwardly; in one’s mind: Such as I are free in spirit when our limbs are chained. in spirits —(also: in high spirits) in a cheerful mood: His time is pretty much taken up in keeping his relation in spirits.
Difference between In someone’s arms and In someone’s hands
in someone’s arms—held by a person (lovingly) in both arms: On the dance floor, Kezia was whirling slowly in the arms of the Baron. in someone’s hands—in smb.’s power; under smb.’s control: She’s going to change the history of the country and the fate of the people is now in her hands.
Difference between In so many words and So many words
in so many words—(usually negat.) stated in these exact words: That the object was to bring Romayne and Stella together … was as plain to him as if he had heard it confessed in so many words. so many words—(of documents, utterances, etc.) nothing more than mere words: Such a law is just so many […]
Difference between In show and On show
in show—in appearance only: By an unfortunate accident the actor was stabbed in reality, and not merely in show. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase for show—for the sake of ostentatious demonstration: The ornaments serve no useful purpose; they are only put there for show. on show—being exhibited; on view: […]
Difference between In shore and On shore
in shore—on the water near the shore: We saw a small ship in shore … plying up the coast. on shore—ashore; on land: Water on the ship will be safe, but only drink bottled water when on shore.
Difference between In service and In the service
in service— 1. (of a machine, etc.) in operation: The latest fighter-bomber is as fast as any fighter yet in service anywhere in the world. 2. employed as a domestic servant: I suppose you see it as somewhat anachronistic—a young girl “in service.” in the service—while serving in the armed forces: Riggs had been wounded […]
Difference between In secret and In the secret
in secret— 1. secretly; in private: Men of the most different characters … resemble each other in the practice of nursing in secret some pet superstition. 2. in strict confidence: This story is told in secret, as it were, because the people were afraid to tell it openly. in the secret—(predic.) sharing a secret; privately aware […]
Difference between In safety and With safety
in safety— 1. in a safe state or position: Cut off by the rising waters, the boys climbed on to a ledge of rock, where they remained in safety. 2. do smth. without running any risk: The people of this city can go where they want to go, do what they have to do and […]