cold as stone —(also: cold as a stone) 1. very cold to the touch: Laura reached for Paul’s hand but when she laced her fingers in his, Paul’s hand was cold as stone. 2. (of a person) not much moved by emotions: He was all sweet and kind to me but I remained cold as […]
Difference between Cold as hell and Cold winter in hell
cold as hell —(coll.) said of an extremely low ambient temperature: Where’s my jacket? It’s cold as hell outside. cold winter in hell—said of smth. not likely to happen or happening on a very rare occasion: It’ll be a cold winter in hell before I ever go back there again.
Difference between Coin laundry and Money laundry
coin laundry—(U.S.) a self-service laundry with coin-operated washing machines: If you need to use a coin laundry, be sure to sort everything at home before you go. money laundry—a facility (such as a bank, etc.) engaged in transactions aimed at concealing the identity of illegally obtained money: I figured it was a money laundry, probably […]
Difference between Coin box and Money box
coin box—(UK) a public telephone: Annie called him from a coin box using a two-pence piece that had been given her. money box— 1. a small box with an opening into which coins are dropped as a way of saving money: A shilling went into the child’s money-box that she had chosen as a safe […]
Difference between Coffin nail and Nail in the coffin
coffin nail— 1. smth. (in a sequence of events) that tends to do serious harm: Every time they buy products made in other countries they are driving another coffin nail into America’s economy. 2. (sl.) a cigarette: Our joking doesn’t seem very funny any more, because for many thousands, cigarettes really do become coffin nails. […]
Difference between Coffee break and Coffee hour
coffee break—a short time out from work in which to rest and drink coffee: Take a coffee break: Coffee is a must for most college students studying into the night. coffee hour—a time to socialize and have refreshments: A weekly coffee hour provides a chance for international students to socialize with American students, staff and […]
Difference between Cock-eye Bob and Cockeye pilot
cock-eye Bob—(Austral. sl.) a cyclone which occurs on the coast of Western Australia during the summer: Almost daily the sky blackened as cock-eye Bobs shrieked upon them, to lash them in sheets of rain. cockeye pilot—a brightly colored fish (Eupomacentrus leucostictus) found in Florida and the West Indies: The “cockeye pilot,” or jaqueta … green […]
Difference between Clown around and Make a clown of oneself
clown around—do silly things in order to make people laugh: The boys were clowning around when the teacher came in. make a clown of oneself—do smth. silly which makes one appear foolish: This meeting led Rothermere to make a clown of himself and also of his newspaper.
Difference between Clothes man and Old-clothes man
clothes man—a dealer in cast-off or second-hand clothes: I bought from the clothes-man a suit of the most gentlemanly garments he possessed. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase man of the cloth—a priest: It’s nice to see a man of the cloth actually using and believing in science. Cf.: clothier—a […]
Difference between Closed case and Open-and-shut case
closed case—a legal case that has been decided: Trying to reopen a closed case is a very difficult, time consuming (and usually expensive) process. open-and-shut case—a legal case that is easily settled or decided: The jury feels this is an open-and-shut case but Sir John experiences doubts.
Difference between Close up a shop and Close up shop
close up a shop —(also: shut up a shop) close a shop securely before leaving (for the weekend, etc.): The shop was closed up for the night, so Kermit used his key and went up the back way. close up shop —(also: shut up shop) 1. (of an office, firm, etc.) stop doing business for […]
Difference between Close up and Close-up
close up— 1. close completely: The wound is closing up but underneath it it’s still a little tender and bruised. 2. come nearer to each other: As soon as he saw the movement of the crowd the captain gave the order to his men to close up. 3. (of a shop, etc.) close (for a […]