dig a hole for oneself—(also: dig oneself into a hole) get oneself into an awkward or restrictive situation: Melton has dug a hole for himself that will take the remainder of his term to come out of. He has made so many promises in his few months in office… dig one’s own grave—be the cause […]
Difference between Different cup of tea and Not someone’s cup of tea
different cup of tea, a—(also: another cup of tea) a different state of affairs; smth. of an altogether different kind: London in wartime is a very different cup of tea from Winchester. not someone’s cup of tea—said of smth. that is not to a person’s taste or does not appeal to one: If Yeats isn’t […]
Difference between Differ in something and Differ on something
differ in something—(of two or more people or things) be unlike in some respect: The two brothers are like each other in appearance, but differ widely in their tastes. differ on something—(also: differ about something ) have different opinions on some matter: Since the discussion is not making any progress, perhaps it is best to […]
Difference between Differ from someone and Differ with someone
differ from someone— 1. be unlike another person in some way: John only differs from his brother in being less masculine and less sternly religious. 2. have different opinions on some matter: My dear sir, I am sorry to differ from you. I think that we are soldiers, and damned good ones at that. differ […]
Difference between Die on one’s feet and Die standing up
die on one’s feet— 1. die while still working; keep working till the end: Harvey spent the next week working on the generator. He had died on his feet. 2. fight and give one’s life courageously: Rather than surrender without a fight, the exhausted army fought bravely to the bitter end and died on their […]
Difference between Die in a ditch and Die in the last ditch
die in a ditch—die destitute in dire poverty: He who abstains from whisky will never die in a ditch. die in the last ditch—fight desperately defending smth. to the last: I can be sure never to see my country’s ruin: I will die in the last ditch. Cf.: last-ditch effort—a desperate final attempt: He is […]
Difference between Die for something and Die from something
die for something—(Progressive Tense) want smth. very urgently: Her husband moved past us into the bar…. “I’m dying for a margarita.” die from something —(also: die of something ) 1. die as a result of some cause: In a severe winter, wild animals can die from lack of food. 2. (Progressive Tense) be in an […]
Difference between Die away and Die out
die away —(of a sound or light) become weaker or fainter: The sound of the car died away in the distance. die out— 1. (of a group of living things) perish; become extinct: If too many of these rare animals are killed, their kind will die out. 2. (of practices, customs, ideas, etc.) cease to […]
Difference between Diamond State and Gem State
Diamond State, the—(U.S.) a nickname of the State of Delaware: Long called the Diamond State, a name arising from a quotation attributed to Jefferson … Delaware’s resources are varied and rich. Gem State, the—(U.S.) a nickname of the State of Idaho: Idaho’s nickname, the “Gem State,” is well deserved due to the 80 varieties of […]
Difference between Devil’s dust and Dust devil
devil’s dust—wool or cotton waste made from old cloth by a machine called the “devil”: The operation sends forth clouds of floating fibers—the real and original “devil’s dust.” dust devil—a whirlwind visible as a column of dust: A whirling dust-devil would scutter across the plain for a couple of miles.
Difference between Devil’s coachhorse and Devil’s horse
devil’s coachhorse—any of several rove beetles of the family Staphylinid: This atrocious tale of lies turned up joint by joint before her like a devil’s coach-horse. devil’s horse—praying mantis of the family Mantid (an insect that feeds upon other insects and is harmless to man): Another of the most peculiar and interesting insects in Texas […]
Difference between Deus ex machina and Ghost in the machine
deus ex machina—an improbable person or event that provides a sudden and unexpected solution to a difficulty: When the impoverished hero is relieved by an unexpected inheritance, it is often called a deus ex machina. ghost in the machine—is used to denote the view of the human mind as being completely independent of the physical […]