first floor (UK)—the floor immediately above the ground floor: Roos and Paul live on the first floor (that’s the second floor to us Americans). first floor (U.S.)—the ground floor (more or less on a level with the ground outside): The Museum Shop is on the first floor next to the entrance.
Difference between “First and last” and “First or last”
first and last— 1. coming before anything else in order, rank, etc.: They say that exquisite painting is the first and last business of a painter. 2. in essence; for the most part: You are a scientist first and last. Your other activities are merely field tests of the work you do here. Note: The […]
Difference between First Americans and First-generation Americans
first Americans —(also: Native Americans) North American Indians: Who knows whether the first Americans who came across the Bering Strait in pre-history were indeed the first. Cf.: First Nations—used with reference to Canadian Native Americans: All members of First Nations who are entitled to benefits are entered in the Indian Register. first-generation Americans—Americans of immigrant […]
Difference between Fire someone and Fire someone up
fire someone—(often Passive) dismiss a person from a job: A police officer claims that he was fired because a Web site he operates criticizes the Police Department. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase burn someone—(sl., usually Passive) 1. reprimand a person severely: Having been burned for speaking my mind often […]
Difference between Fire ship and Fireboat
fire ship —(hist.) a ship carrying explosives sent among the enemy’s ships to set them on fire: In order to protect them against fire ships, stockades, raised on piles, were placed higher up the river. fireboat— 1. a boat equipped with pumps for extinguishing fires on boats and piers: Her tenure as a fireboat served […]
Difference between Fire line and Line of fire
fire line— 1. a strip of cleared or ploughed land intended to check a forest fire: It became clear that the truck would survive once it outsped the fire line. 2. a police barrier around a building on fire: It is the responsibility of the police department to keep unauthorized persons outside this fire line. […]
Difference between Fire-irons and Firing-iron
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 […]