familiar to someone—well-known to a person: The story is presented in a manner familiar to all radio-listeners. familiar with someone— 1. acquainted with or knowing a person: I confess that I am not familiar with this writer. 2. on friendly terms or intimate with smb.: Do you address him as “Tom” or as “Mr. Green”? […]
Difference between Fall through the cracks and Fall through the floor
fall through the cracks —(also: fall between the cracks) pass unnoticed; be neglected and not dealt with: In the past, many learning disabled children fell through the cracks. fall through the floor—(also: sink through the floor) 1. be very surprised: The Security chaps nearly fell through the floor when I walked into Parliament so early, so […]
Difference between Fall out of something and Fall outside something
fall out of something— 1. drop out of smth.: Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. 2. (used figuratively in phrases such as “fall out of love,” “fall out of use,” etc.): It is interesting how words fall out of […]
Difference between Fall off a truck and Fall off the turnip truck
fall off a truck—(U.S. euph.) said of an item that was probably stolen or obtained by questionable methods (also UK: fall off the back of a lorry): It shouldn’t be surprising that in such circumstances a lot of those products will “get lost in warehouses” or “fall off a truck.” Note: The expression does not correlate […]
Difference between Fall leaf and Leaf fall
fall leaf— 1. shedding of leaves by a plant; the autumn season: Except during fall leaf season, leaves must be bagged and set out on your garbage collection day. 2. a hinged flap on a table which can be raised to increase the surface area: We unpacked a fall-leaf table which had been all sealed […]
Difference between Fall into someone’s arms and Fall into someone’s hands
fall into someone’s arms—run up to a person to be held lovingly in both arms: With a cry of joy, she fell into his arms. fall into someone’s hands— 1. be captured by a person: All those who fell into their hands alive were slain. 2. come into smb.’s possession: The two innkeepers had no […]
Difference between Fall in for something and Fall in with something
fall in for something—be due for a share of smth., such as punishment, criticism, etc.: Sally fell in for a lot of trouble when she bought a used car. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase fall for something—(coll.) 1. become very keen on or enthusiastic about smth.: I have quite […]
Difference between Fall guy and Fallen man
fall guy— 1. a loser or victim, especially smb. who is tricked into smth.: The president cannot be considered a “fall guy,” since he is the commander in chief who ultimately ordered these military adventures. 2. a person who gets blamed when smth. goes wrong: They finally dismiss an employee in response to the scandal. […]
Difference between Fall below something and Fall under something
fall below something—(of a standard, etc.) fail to reach an agreed or required level: You should identify the reasons why your academic performance has fallen below expectations. fall under something— 1. (of an item) be placed in the category mentioned: If a document falls under the physicianpatient confidentiality clause, then this section may be withheld […]
Difference between Fall behind in something and Fall behind on something
fall behind in something— 1. fail to do enough of smth. and so move to a position behind others: The country has fallen behind its competitors in the manufacture of cheap cotton goods. 2. fail to maintain a schedule of payments, etc.: Jacobs began receiving letters from the bank threatening foreclosure when he fell behind […]
Difference between Fall back and Fall behind
fall back— 1. spring back; recoil: Mizuki watched Yukiko dig through her stuff, then she fell back when she saw her get the box. 2. (of troops) retreat: The army began falling back to prepared lines of defense. 3. lag behind; be outstripped: We thought the horse would win, but he fell back halfway through […]
Difference between Fall about someone’s ears and Fall on someone’s ears
fall about someone’s ears— 1. come crashing down; collapse: Slabs of plaster left the ceilings and fell about our ears…. 2. fail suddenly: All our careful plans fell about our ears when the government changed the tax laws. fall on someone’s ears —(liter.) be heard: As we entered the temple, a curious chanting fell upon […]