float someone’s boat—(coll.) said of smth. that excites or interests a person: He describes himself as a music addict—music theatre, in particular, really floats his boat. paddle one’s own canoe —(also: hoe one’s own row) be independent; follow one’s interests or inclination: The Labor Party wished, as it were, to paddle its own canoe—to build […]
Difference between Fling something away and Fling something off
fling something away— 1. throw smth. away; get rid of smth. unwanted: Let’s fling that old furniture away and buy some new. 2. waste smth. such as an opportunity, etc.: You shouldn’t fling away a chance like that. 3. say smth. casually or carelessly: You flung away that last line, we couldn’t hear you. fling […]
Difference between Flight deck and Flying deck
flight deck— 1. the uppermost deck of an aircraft carrier serving as landing and takeoff area: Brown successfully took off in about half the length of the flight deck. 2. the forward compartment in some airplanes used by the pilot, copilot and flight engineer: Rebel snipers fired on one of the planes and hit it. […]
Difference between Flea bite and Flea-bitten
flea bite—a trifling inconvenience; a small problem: The great Battle of Marathon was a mere flea-bite for an empire that stretched from India to Egypt. flea-bitten—said of smth. worn and broken down by hard use: Up to now the landlords have held back from replacing any of the old flea-bitten furniture.
Difference between Flashing light and Flashlight
flashing light—a lighting device, used in lighthouses, etc., giving forth sudden flashes: Another change has been the displacement of the semaphore-type of direction indicator by flashing light signals. flashlight— 1. = flashing light: The practice of a flashlight on sails as something approaches in the darkness is a good one. 2. (also: flash-lamp) a portable […]
Difference between Flapjack (UK) and Flapjack (U.S.)
flapjack (UK)—a flat cake made from rolled oats, fat, brown sugar and syrup or honey: Not sure if it’s usual for British people to eat flapjacks for breakfast, it just happened to be in my line of sight… flapjack (U.S.)—a thin crispy pancake of large diameter, commonly measuring 12” or more: There’s much more on […]
Difference between Flammable liquid and Inflammable liquid
flammable liquid—liquid capable of being inflamed or easily set on fire: This report provides an evaluation of the hazards associated with flammable liquid storage lockers. inflammable liquid — = flammable liquid: No inflammable liquid or inflammable substance shall be unloaded, loaded, transported or kept except in accordance with regulations.
Difference between Fix someone up with something and Fix someone with something
fix someone up with something—arrange for a person to have smth.: His father tried to fix him up with a job at the local municipality. fix someone with something—confront a person with an angry, hostile, etc. look: He fixed me with a steady look, rather owl-like with his heavy rimmed glasses.
Difference between Fix it up with someone and Fix someone up with someone
fix it up with someone —(coll.) arrange smth. with a person: Can you fix it up with the Headmaster so that the meeting will be delayed? fix someone up with someone —(coll.) provide a date or social companion for a person: Daniel met his wife when she was trying to fix him up with her […]
Difference between Five-by-five and Four-by-four
five-by-five— 1. said of a radio signal which is loud and clear: The standard “loud and clear” to an American had to be a “five by five” or a “three by three” depending on the reception. 2. (in the phrase “everything is five by five”) everything is all right: To stave off any potential concerns […]
Difference between Fit to be hung and Fit to kill
fit to be hung—said of a person deserving the worst punishment: They regarded the Socialists as cowardly deserters or rascally mutineers, fit to be hung. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase fit to be tied—(coll.) used of smb. roused to great anger or indignation: I was fit to be tied […]
Difference between Fit in with someone and Fit someone in
fit in with someone—feel comfortable among particular people: Lou just can’t seem to fit in with her new family. She … resists any kind of companionship from her host-parents. fit someone in—find time to see or speak to a person: Send me a note with your resume and let me check my schedule to see […]