fire-irons—utensils for a fireplace (as tongs, poker, and shovel): The floor was spotless; the grate and fire-irons were burnished bright, and the fire burnt clear. Note: The compound does not correlate in meaning with the expression irons in the fire—(usually in the phrase “have many irons in the fire”) used of things requiring the attention […]
Difference between Fire fight and Firefighting
fire fight— 1. an exchange of fire between opposing units (as distinct from close combat): Three soldiers have been killed in a fire fight with separatist guerrillas. 2. the effort to extinguish or to check the spread of a fire: Several firefighters were transported to the local hospital during the fire fight. firefighting— = fire […]
Difference between Fire department and Fire office
fire department—(U.S.) a fire brigade: You may establish a direct connection with the fire department, or the police and call them immediately. fire office—a fire-insurance company: An even more elusive foe of the fire office than petrol is “the cold-blooded fire-bug” who trades in arson.
Difference between Finish school and Leave school
finish school— 1. complete one’s school education: When he finished school he went to college in the United States. 2. finish classes for the day: When he finished school at noon, the taxi would first drop off the other kids and then Ahmad. leave school— 1. = finish school 1: About a year after she […]
Difference between Finish off with something and Finish with something
finish off with something— 1. end up one’s meal with smth.: Let’s finish off with some of that excellent cheese. 2. conclude by (doing) smth.: The long meeting finished off with a prayer. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase finish off something— 1. (of food) finish completely: The children have […]
Difference between Fine as a fiddle and Fine as fivepence
fine as a fiddle—(also: fit as a fiddle) in excellent form or health: There you are, Stanley. Looking as fine as a fiddle. fine as fivepence —(also: fine as five pence) 1. (of clothes) smart or becoming: Theodore’s own clothing looked as fine as five pence. 2. (of people) smartly dressed: Kitty … could not […]
Difference between Find oneself and Lose oneself
find oneself— 1. become conscious of being in a certain place or state: When he regained consciousness, he found himself in the hospital. 2. discover one’s vocation; realize one’s capabilities: After the war he couldn’t find himself. He was too big of a man to start over. lose oneself— 1. lose one’s way: It’s easy […]
Difference between Find one’s voice and Lose one’s voice
find one’s voice— 1. (also: find one’s tongue) be able to speak again after a shock, horror, etc. which has left one speechless: From his seat in the corner, Dave finally found his voice. “What happened? And when?” 2. (of a writer, painter, etc.) become truly creative and develop a style of one’s own: Andy […]
Difference between Fill in for someone and Fill someone in
fill in for someone—carry out the duties of a fellow employee, absent through sickness, etc.: My partner is on holiday so I’m filling in for him. fill someone in—give a person full details about smth.: Can you fill me in on what has been happening since I left here?
Difference between Figurehead and Head figure
figurehead— 1. a carving, usually a bust or a full-length figure, decorating the prow of a ship: The adornment of ships with figureheads could be traced back to Phoenician times. 2. a person who holds an important office yet has little actual power: The constitution allots so much power to the board of governors that […]
Difference between Figure someone in and Figure someone out
figure someone in —(coll.) add or include a person into one’s plans, etc. (also: count someone in): Please figure Ann in when you plan the party. figure someone out—(also: make someone out) understand a person’s character: We are stuck with the guy for four years, so we’ll have plenty of time to figure him out.
Difference between Figure in something and Figure on something
figure in something—have a part in smth.; play a role in smth.: The ass has, since the time of the Greeks, figured in fables as the type of ignorance and stupidity. figure on something—(coll.) depend on smth.; plan on smth.: Don’t figure on going abroad this summer, we may not be able to afford it.