do a work—engage in an activity; fulfill a task: You could give the composer complete freedom, saying you’d like him to do a work for you. make a work—(coll., also: make work) make a fuss; cause disturbance or trouble: People make a work if a minister preach the same sermon over again.
Difference between Do a runner and Do the running
do a runner—(sl.) run away in order not to pay the bill, avoid punishment, etc.: If we put any pressure on Sorley he’ll get rid of the drugs and do a runner. do the running —(also: make the running ) show initiative; make sure that things get done: Men are no longer expected to do […]
Difference between Do a number on someone and Make one’s number with someone
do a number on someone—(sl.) 1. deceive or treat a person unfairly: Caroline doesn’t like him. He really did a number on her at work. 2. speak or write of smb. with disdain; slander a person: They did a number on Ridpath. They printed damaging statements. 3. totally defeat a person or team: The Irish […]
Difference between Do a number and Do one’s number
do a number— 1. (Underworld) give information to the police: If Keiser’s doing a number, I’ve arranged for you to knock him off. 2. (euph., of an animal) urinate or defecate: That black puppy did a number on the carpet again. do one’s number— 1. perform one’s act in a program of entertainment, etc.: When […]
Difference between Do a moonlight and Moonlight
do a moonlight—(coll.) secretly move from a flat (under the cover of night) usually to avoid paying the rent: The tenant had done a “moonlight” with no warning even though the lease still had many months to run. moonlight—(coll.) work (often illegally) at a second job in addition to one’s main job: Sasquatch is a […]
Difference between Do a job on someone and Do the job for someone
do a job on someone—(sl.) 1. treat smb. roughly; injure or harm a person: There’s no need to do a job on me, man, I’ll tell you everything I know. 2. (also: do a snow job on someone) take advantage of a person, especially by persuasion or deception: My local friendly plumber did a job […]
Difference between Do a job and Do the job
do a job—(Underworld) commit a robbery or a burglary: The two were engaged “doing a job” at a lonely place when two mounted patrols came upon them. do the job —(also: do the business) accomplish one’s purpose; achieve the desired result: I don’t care what you use, as long as it does the job.
Difference between Do a house and Make a house
do a house—tidy or clean the house: One day I did the house thoroughly, totally, and my Dad’s closet was really messy, so I tidied it. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase do up a house—repair or improve the house: It was really worth the pain we took to do […]
Difference between Do a book on and Make a book on
do a book on something—write a book on a subject: William Fox is doing a book on the way the environment impacts our evolution and perception. Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase write the book on something— 1. = do a book on something: Because I had developed a […]
Difference between Do a book and Make a book
do a book— 1. write a book: We all have our weaknesses. Mine just happens to be any comic book done by David Mack. 2. translate a book: I know that most of his books have been done into English. 3. (U.S. Underworld) suffer the maximum penalty; serve a life-time sentence: I’m doing one life […]
Difference between Do a bit and Do one’s bit
do a bit— 1. perform a small part in a play or movie: I got to do a bit with Mick Jagger where he comes into a dressing room and looks in the mirror…. 2. practice smth. in a small way: In my spare time I always want to do something “creative,” so I choose […]
Difference between Divine Office and Holy Office
Divine Office—the prayers and readings in the services held in the Roman Catholic Church: She was troubled, distracted in meditation … when the other sisters were chanting Divine Office. Holy Office, the— 1. (hist.) the Inquisition: It may seem strange that the spread of the reformed religion should so long have escaped the Holy Office. […]