by a hair’s breadth —(also: by a fraction) by a very small degree or amount: If I swerve by a hair’s breadth from the straight line of the most rigid respectability, I’m done for. to a hair’s breadth —(also: to a fraction) with great accuracy: You had plenty of time to put your heads together […]
Difference between By a fraction and To a fraction
by a fraction—(also: by a hair’s breadth) by a very small degree or amount: Hester does not change by a fraction her intention to run away with Arthur. to a fraction—(also: to a hair’s breadth) with great accuracy: Escudero supposed that two hundred Mexican ounces would compensate him to a fraction.
Difference between Buy the farm and Sell the farm
buy the farm —(coll.) die, especially suddenly or violently (also: buy it): Well, I almost bought the farm last weekend. A friend was driving too aggressively and she put us into a dangerous situation. sell the farm—sell all one’s assetts to invest in a new venture; act rashly or overreact: The economy has been tough […]
Difference between Buy someone off and Buy someone out
buy someone off—bribe a person to persuade him do smth.: It is impossible to open a big gambling operation without buying off public officials. buy someone out— 1. buy smb.’s share of property: He borrowed a large sum of money in order to buy out his partner. 2. buy all of smth. that a person […]
Difference between Buy it and Get it
buy it—(sl.) 1. believe smth.: I told my new boyfriend that I am pregnant with his kid. Do you think he will buy it? Cf.: sell it—(sl.) persuade a person to accept smth. as true: Don’t try to sell it to me as a great work of comedy. The film struck me as being very […]
Difference between Butter someone up and Oil someone up
butter someone up —(coll.) flatter a person in order to get him to do smth.: No, I am not trying to butter up the professor who is going to grade me on this. oil someone up— 1. (Austral. sl.) advise a person; give smb. reliable information: Don’t worry, I’ll oil him up on what needs […]
Difference between “Butcher, baker, candlestick maker” and “chief cook and bottle washer”
butcher, baker, candlestick maker—said of people with traditional occupations or skills: Jean rushed to his favorite wine merchant, to his tobacconist, to his butcher, baker, candlestick maker. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase doctor, lawyer, or Indian chief—whatever your profession or occupation: You can be a doctor, lawyer, or Indian […]
Difference between But me no buts and There are no buts about it
but me no buts—(coll.) don’t give me any of your excuses: But me no buts this time, just do what I tell you and do it at once! there are no buts about it—(coll.) there is no doubt about it: I saw you steal the money from the drawer. There are no buts about it.
Difference between Busy as a bee and Busy as a beehive
busy as a bee—(of a person) full of lively activity; very busy: I don’t have time to talk to you. I am as busy as a bee. busy as a beehive—(of an office, shop, etc.) crowded with customers; bustling with activity: The firm was at once as busy as a beehive.
Difference between Bust one’s balls and Bust someone’s balls
bust one’s balls —(coarse sl.; used of men) work extremely hard to accomplish smth.: I have only two days until the examination, so I have to bust my balls if I don’t want to fail. bust someone’s balls —(coarse sl.) 1. make fun of or tease a man: Everybody in the classroom bust Tom’s balls […]
Difference between Businessman and Man of business
businessman—a man who is engaged in business (running a commercial or industrial firm, etc.): His father was a wellknown businessman in the city. man of business— 1. = businessman: A man of business should be quick, decisive, and callous against small rubs. 2. (UK) a person’s agent or solicitor: As her man of business, I […]
Difference between Bush telegraph and Field telegraph
bush telegraph—(also: bush wireless) rapid dissemination of rumors, information, etc. by word-of-mouth: “How did the Imam get to know about it?” “The bush telegraph works very well here in Bahrain.” field telegraph—(Military) a movable telegraph system for use on campaign, maneuvers, etc.: The field telegraph detachments are trained in peace time to everything connected with […]