Cicero of Germany, the —(hist.) the name given to Johann III, elector of Brandenburg (1455–1499): Cicero of Germany, Elector of Brandenburg, could speak four hours at a stretch, in elegantly flowing Latin, with a fair share of meaning in it too. German Cicero, the —(hist.) the name given to Johann Sturm, printer and scholar (1507–1589): […]
Difference between Chosen few and Chosen people
chosen few—(also: select few) a relatively small number of persons selected for a position of favor or privilege: The Professor is giving a dinner-party tonight, but that’s just for the chosen few. chosen people—(also: God’s chosen people) 1. the Jews, especially in the Old Testament: This was a greater miracle than that of the cloud […]
Difference between Chocolate soldier and Toy soldier
chocolate soldier —(derog.) 1. a soldier unwilling to fight: They are chocolate soldiers who merely go to see battles and coolly urge others to fight them. 2. a militiaman or conscripted soldier: Conscripts, known as “chocos” (chocolate soldiers) were not required to serve outside prescribed areas. toy soldier —(also: tin soldier) 1. a miniature figure […]
Difference between Chinese auction and Dutch auction
Chinese auction—an auction, commonly in a charity type setting, in which bidders buy tickets which are essentially their chances to win items: We will have our usual Chinese auction, which has been so popular in the past. Dutch auction—an auction in which the auctioneer progressively lowers the price until a bidder agrees to buy: Sarah […]
Difference between China syndrome and Chinese restaurant syndrome
China syndrome— 1. (dated) possibility of a catastrophe as a result of a nuclear reactor meltdown: If the heat in the molten fuel cannot be dissipated by conductivity, then the danger from the so-called China Syndrome would be much higher. 2. (Business) relocating manufacturing operations to China to reduce labor costs: It was pointed out […]
Difference between Child’s game and Child’s play
child’s game—said of a person’s behavior more appropriate for a child: He knew it was just a child’s game—to stare at someone and not look away first. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase easy game—(also: fair game) a suitable object for ridicule; a person easily persuaded or taken advantage of: […]
Difference between Childish behavior and Childlike behavior
childish behavior —(used showing disapproval) behavior characterized by lack of emotional restraint or similar adult qualities: The strategy requires that you not react to her childish behavior. Until she calms down, you don’t respond at all. childlike behavior—the kind of behavior more appropriate for a child than an adult: Shana … newly dependent on her […]
Difference between Child of nature and Natural child
child of nature—(euph.) a person in an uncivilized or uncultivated state: She felt that he wanted her to be a child of nature. That suited her very well. natural child— 1. a child actually begotten by one in contrast to adopted: With little prospect of natural children, we applied for adoption all the sooner. 2. […]
Difference between Child of man and Man-child
child of man —(liter.) a human being: The elephant lays down his life to save the child of man, and, consequently, innocence and honesty triumphs over selfishness. man-child—(pl. men-children) a male child; a boy: Three years later another little girl was born, and lastly a handsome little man child was born to this family in […]
Difference between Chicken soup and Duck soup
chicken soup— 1. a book featuring a collection of short, motivating essays: Compiled of new and previously published stories, this Chicken Soup collection brings inspiration for the holidays. 2. smth. that provides a mysterious but effective way to solve the problem: “Hey, my Mac [computer] is messed up. It won’t work.” “Try re-building your desktop, […]
Difference between Chicken feed and Feed the chicken
chicken feed —(coll.) anything of little importance, especially a trifling sum of money: That meant only chicken feed for the proprietary companies and big producers. Cf.: chicken feeder—(sl.) a poor tipper: The only people I waited on in the restaurant were chicken feeders. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase bird […]
Difference between Chew the cud and Chew the fat
chew the cud—think about smth. slowly and carefully: Near the Acropolis is the Archaia Agora, ruins that were once the square where philosophers chewed the cud. chew the fat—(coll.) 1. chat at length in a relaxed manner: Blount’s great talent is that he’s comfortable chewing the fat with just about anybody. 2. discuss a matter, […]