give oneself a shot in the arm—inject oneself with a drug: The next day I got enough courage to do it myself and I gave myself a shot in the arm. The needle did not hurt going in… shoot onself in the foot—act against one’s own interest: You’re shooting yourself in the foot if you […]
Difference between Give one’s word and Give the word
give one’s word— 1. give one’s promise: He gave his word as a scholar not to publish works that were made available to him. 2. express one’s assurance: I’m positive he’s capable of carrying out the mission. I give my word that he is fine. 3. give expression to smth.; put smth. into words: He […]
Difference between Give one’s respects to someone and Pay one’s respects to someone
give one’s respects to someone—send a formal expression of respect for smb. through another person: Give my respects to your Father, whose pamphlet I read with great interest. pay one’s respects to someone—show respect for a person by presenting oneself or by making a call: They were not “ardent royalists,” but had come to pay […]
Difference between Give one’s life for something and Give one’s life to something
give one’s life for something—(also: lay down one’s life for something) allow oneself to die for a good cause, etc.: This monument is to honor soldiers who gave their life for the cause of liberty. give one’s life to something—dedicate one’s whole life to smth.: Socrates gave his life to the study of questions that […]
Difference between Give one’s arm to someone and Give one’s hand to someone
give one’s arm to someone—(also: offer one’s arm to someone) allow a person to walk arm-in-arm or lean on one’s arm: He turned his back on Alfred, gave his arm to Mrs. Langham and advanced into the hotel. give one’s hand to someone—(of a woman) agree to marry a man: He fails, however, to win […]
Difference between Give of one’s best and Give someone best
give of one’s best—(also: do one’s best) do all one can; do smth. as well as one can: He wasn’t the cleverest member of the committee, but he gave of his best. give someone best—(UK) admit to being wrong; admit defeat: I give you best. I was mistaken about the whole thing.
Difference between Give notice and Take notice
give notice— 1. notify or warn a person with regard to smth.: I had been given notice that the home I’m living in was going up for sale. 2. dismiss smb. from employment: A person who is given notice can easily become demoralized. It takes time to accept the situation…. 3. notify the employer about […]
Difference between Give it to someone and Give it to someone straight
give it to someone—scold smb. harshly: Later, in a private eye-to-eye discussion, with no witnesses to overhear, Slavsky really gave it to me. give it to someone straight—tell smth. to a person directly: So I gave it to him straight: I’m broke, and there’s no way I can pay the hospital fees.
Difference between Give it mouth and Give mouth
give it mouth —(dated) speak with vigor and intensity: “Tell us your name!” said the man. “Pip, sir.” “Once more,” said the man, staring at me. “Give it mouth!” give mouth—(also: give tongue) 1. utter one’s thoughts; express smth. in words: I have an opinion of you, sir, to which it is not easy to […]
Difference between Give it a shot and Give it the gun
give it a shot—(coll.) give smth. a try; attempt to do smth. unfamiliar: I don’t know if my recording skills are up to par but I just might give it a shot. give it the gun —(coll.) cause a vehicle to accelerate rapidly: Even when I would stand in the road and make motions to […]
Difference between Give it a second thought and Have second thoughts
give it a second thought—reassess an opinion or decision previously made: You may think this will happen in the distant future but if you give it a second thought you’ll realize it is already happening. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase don’t give it a second thought—(also: don’t give it […]
Difference between Give it a name and You name it
give it a name—(imper.) 1. say what it is you want: I know you want something or you wouldn’t have come to see me. Give it a name old fellow! 2. what would you like to drink: What are you drinking? Give it a name, chaps—there’s everything here. you name it—everything that you can think […]