Holy Joe—(Nautical) a parson; a devoutly religious person: They all have these Holy Joe voices when they start giving their sermons. Holy Willie—a hypocritically pious person: The Holy Willies were just like the slave-owners who outlawed traditional African religions. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase Holy Moses—(exclam.) used to express strong feelings […]
Difference between Holy cow and Sacred cow
holy cow—(exclam.) is used to express strong feelings of astonishment, pleasure, or anger: “Holy cow!” Tod roared. “Will I ever forget the look on the McGloys’ faces…” sacred cow—said of smth. so cherished that it is regarded as above criticism: Tories regard interest and profit as sacred cows to be fattened at the expense of […]
Difference between Hold with something and Keep with something
hold with something—approve of or support smth.: I do not hold with heavy drinking and wild parties. keep with something—remain or stay with smth.: Keep with the convoy during the whole voyage.
Difference between Hold up and Keep up
hold up— 1. (of a structure, etc.) stay erect; remain in good condition: This building holds up well despite its age. 2. (of weather, supplies, etc.) continue; last: Will the water supply hold up through the summer? 3. remain in control of oneself: How does he hold up under such a responsibility? keep up— 1. […]
Difference between Hold the line against someone and Hold the line at someone
hold the line against someone—take a firm opposing stand with regard to smb.: You’ve been holding the line against those who have sought to legislate the Second Amendment into oblivion. hold the line at someone—preclude a person from being invited or admitted to a place: The Browns and the Smiths could be invited, but I […]
Difference between Hold the field and Keep the field
hold the field— 1. keep one’s position against attack; remain undefeated: American troops held the field but it was not a clear-cut victory. 2. be not superseded or displaced: Petroleum spirit still holds the field as a propelling force, both in the cars exhibited here and in those seen in London streets. keep the field […]
Difference between Hold something up and Keep something up
hold something up— 1. support smth. physically; bear the weight of smth.: We couldn’t hold up the fence, and it finally fell over. 2. (of prices, etc.) cause to remain high: Efforts were made to hold up the price by again cutting production. 3. stop or delay smth.; make smth. late: A heavy storm in […]
Difference between Hold something out on someone and Hold something out to someone
hold something out on someone—keep a secret or news from a person: What’s going on? Are you holding something out on me? hold something out to someone—offer smth. to a person: I held out an offer of immunity to prosecution to her, but she would not cooperate.
Difference between Hold something on and Keep something on
hold something on—secure smth.; keep smth. in position: This big screw holds the lid of the box on. keep something on— 1. continue to possess smth.: We are still keeping on the house in France. 2. continue to wear or use smth.: In a church men take their hats off; in a synagogue, they keep […]
Difference between Hold something in hand and Hold something in the hand
hold something in hand— 1. keep smth. with the hand: Carter turned back and waved the chart he was holding in hand. 2. have smth. at one’s disposal; keep smth. in reserve: Father has decided to hold ￡500 in hand in case of a business emergency. hold something in the hand— = hold something in […]
Difference between Hold something in contempt and Hold something up to contempt
hold something in contempt—look down upon smth.; despise smth.: One of the worst things I could imagine was slavery and I had always held it in contempt. hold something up to contempt—cause smth. to be the object of contempt: He held up to contempt all that was mediocre in their art.
Difference between Hold something in and Keep something in
hold something in— 1. (of an animal) control or restrain: Your horse is trying to go too fast; you must hold him in. 2. control one’s emotions: It was impossible for the children to hold in their laughter any longer. keep something in— 1. retain smth. as part of a writing, performance, etc.: But that’s […]