carry water in a sieve—do futile work: It doesn’t look like I’ve accomplished a thing. I might as well have been carrying water in a sieve. pour water into a sieve— 1. = carry water in a sieve: It is of no more use to give advice to the idle than to pour water into […]
Difference between Carry someone off his feet and Get someone on his feet
carry someone off his feet—(also: sweep someone off his feet) affect a person with overwhelming enthusiasm: It was small wonder that this beautiful woman carried him off his feet. get someone on his feet—(also: set someone back on his feet) cure a person: It was difficult when they made me sit up in bed…. Over […]
Difference between Carry out an execution and Do execution
carry out an execution—carry out punishment by death on a person: Colleagues fear her killing was an extrajudicial execution carried out by the security forces. do execution—(dated, of weapons) have a massive destructive effect: The schooners opened a heavy cannonade upon the enemy, which did great execution.
Difference between Carry one’s weight and Carry weight
carry one’s weight—do one’s share of the work: We can rearrange our workload anyway we want. Bottom line—we are all going to have to carry our weight. Cf.: carry the weight of the world on one’s shoulders—be burdened with too many problems: He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. That’s bound to […]
Difference between Carry one’s age and Hold the age
carry one’s age—look well for one’s age: O’donnell found satisfaction in the thought that the other man didn’t carry his age as well as he himself did. hold the age—(U.S. coll.) be in a position of control because one has greater power (also: have the age): How could I talk when he was talking? He […]
Difference between Carry on at someone and Carry on with someone
carry on at someone—complain noisily to a person: He was carrying on at me in a most unpleasant way. carry on with someone—flirt with smb.; have an affair with a person: I heard she was carrying on with a married man.
Difference between Carry-on (UK) and Carry-on (U.S.)
carry-on (UK)—(coll., also: carrying-on) annoying unwise or overexcited behavior: We were all engaged for a radio version of Hamlet…. I had never realized the incredible carryon connected with these productions. carry-on (U.S.)—(also: carry-on baggage) luggage that can be carried aboard an aircraft, bus, or train: I always take some cigars in my carry-on and pack […]
Difference between Carry light and Carry the torch
carry light—elucidate or clarify smth.: Arguments which carry light have their effect, even against an opponent who shuts his eyes. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase hold the spotlight—be in the center of attention: Pegi held the spotlight with compelling songs, a lovely voice and charming personality. b) The […]
Difference between Carry coals and Carry coals to Newcastle
carry coals —(also: bear coals) submit to humiliation or insult: Abraham observes that they will not carry coals, meaning that they would not put up with insults. carry coals to Newcastle—take goods, etc. to a place where they are plentiful: My colleagues have already spoken extensively…. To repeat these statements would be to carry coals […]
Difference between Carry a load and Carry the load
carry a load —(sl.) be alcohol intoxicated: Your father’s carrying a load again. What are we going to do? carry the load—do or be responsible for the major part of a job, etc.: We all knew that his wife carried the load in that family. See also: carry one’s weight / carry weight.
Difference between Careless of something and Careless with something
careless of something—(also: careless about something ) unconcerned about smth.: He became careless of the decencies which were expected from a man so highly distinguished in the literary world. careless with something—not thinking sensibly about how one can best use or treat smth.: Remember that this is not a time to be careless with money […]
Difference between Career teacher and Careers teacher
career teacher—a person who works as a teacher for most of his or her working life: Although I’m not a “career teacher” I can see how much they respect them here, which is refreshing. careers teacher—a teacher who gives information to students about jobs and professions: This information should be passed regularly to Careers Teachers […]