down-turn—a decline, especially in economic or business activity: The economy has already demonstrated that it can suffer a mild downturn in manufacturing. turn-down— 1. the turned-down part of smth.: I showed him the turn-down, only the turn-down, of your note. 2. said of the action of rejecting: I look back on that period of sour […]
Difference between Down to earth and Down to the ground
down to earth—pragmatic; realistic: The committee will include some down-to-earth people who know something about what goes on. down to the ground—(coll.) 1. thoroughly; completely: He looks as if he could be trusted down to the ground. 2. said of smth. that is very typical of a person: He made some rude remarks, but then […]
Difference between Down-to-date and Up-to-date
down-to-date—present-day; contemporary: The down-todate traveler discovered that without the aid of airplanes it was only just possible to equal Fogg’s record. up-to-date— = down-to-date: The Abbey was innocent of anything so up to date as central heating.
Difference between Down someone’s street and Up someone’s street
down someone’s street—(coll., also: down someone’s alley) within smb.’s competence or interest: The historical line of inquiry is outside your scope, but the analysis of the book is right down your street. up someone’s street—(also: up someone’s alley) = down someone’s street: A great many of the books published today are, as the saying is, […]
Difference between Down on and Up on
down on something—showing dislike or hostility toward smth.: Lots of people were very down on the idea of paying for products that they aren’t using. up on something—well informed or up-to-date about smth.: Most of the psychiatrists in this country are not up on the latest medications available.
Difference between Down on someone and Down to someone
down on someone—(coll.) expressing strong disapproval of smb.; reprimanding a person severely: “They’re down on her for some reason or other,” he told himself. “Angry, most likely, because she’s hung on to her boy.” down to someone—being the responsibility of smb.; being incumbent upon a person: You need to be a good communicator to get […]
Difference between Down low and Low down
down low— 1. (coll.) secret or private: Their eye contact seems to indicate that there may have been a little down low action going on between the two. 2. (sl.) is used of married men who secretly engage in homosexual activities: Some down low men consider themselves monogamous if they only sleep with one man. […]
Difference between Down here and Here below
down here— 1. in the place where we are right now: The weather affects how we think, move, and feel. Talking about the weather, it is hot and dry down here. 2. is used of a place which lies more to the south: If you’re planning on taking your yacht to the Bahamas, something we […]
Difference between Down for the count and Out for the count
down for the count— 1. (of a boxer) knocked down and unable to get back up for the count of ten: West went down for the count, lying motionless on the floor. 2. soundly defeated: The conservatives appeared to be down for the count. Yesterday they failed to win a vote of no confidence. out […]
Difference between Down below and Down under
down below— 1. in a lower part of a building, ship, etc.: Someone was with me and we proceeded to open the hatch to the flooded compartment down below. 2. under the ocean or sea: Wherever there’s a lot of seaweed at the surface, you will probably find some sort of big fish down below. […]
Difference between Down and out and Up and out
down and out— 1. said of a person without means of livelihood: “You’ve never been down and out, I imagine, Mr. Forsyte?” “No,” answered Soames. 2. (of business, etc.) lacking resources or prospects: The local housing industry is down and out. Cf.: down but not out— said of smb. who is down on his luck […]
Difference between Doublespeak and Speak with a double tongue
doublespeak—(also: doubletalk) use deliberately imprecise, ambiguous language to disguise the actual meaning: Characterizing Godsey as a “word craftsman” in his responses to the committee’s probes, the report said, “…he has masterfully doublespoken in many instances.” speak with a double tongue—said of a speech characterized by duplicity, hypocrisy, and double standard: Sandra really bungled it when […]