be in want—be destitute; live in poverty: Many people are now out of work and in want. be wanting—be deficient or inadequate: Nothing will be wanting to render your stay agreeable.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be in waiting and Lie in wait
be in waiting— 1. be in attendance on a person of rank: Esmond’s friend, Dick Steele, who was in waiting on the Prince, heard the controversy between the ladies at court. 2. be ready for service: Dr Sinclair, who was in waiting, had the man carefully examined, and it is wonderful to say no bones […]
Difference between Be in trouble with someone and Have trouble with someone
be in trouble with someone—suffer unhappiness or have problems because of smb.: He has been in trouble with the police arising out of his activities with the British Israelites. have trouble with someone— 1. have problems with smb. because of this person’s behavior: The Post Office is having much trouble with people who underpay their […]
Difference between Be in trouble and Have trouble
be in trouble— 1. be in a difficult or dangerous situation: The Youth Board finds the youngsters who are in trouble and begins to work with them. 2. (euph., of an unmarried woman) be pregnant: She said she consented to be married to the prisoner as she believed she was in trouble. Note: The expression […]
Difference between Be in the wrong and Be wrong
be in the wrong—act in a way not morally justifiable: In all questions between a government and an individual, the presumption is that the government is in the wrong. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be in the wrong box—(UK coll.) be in a wrong position and so in difficulty […]
Difference between Be in the wind and Hang in the wind
be in the wind— 1. (also: be in the air) be rumored or suspected: Everyone in the industry knew that a change was in the wind. 2. (sl.) be alcohol intoxicated: I am not in the wind … for you see I’m perfectly sober. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase […]
Difference between Be in the swim and Swim with the stream
be in the swim—have interest or active role in modern life and social activities: The need to be in the swim—up to date—might not have been the least of our driving forces for general progress. swim with the stream—(also: float with the stream) act as the majority of people do; behave in a conventional way: […]
Difference between Be in the same boat and Sail in the same boat
be in the same boat—(also: be in the same box) be in the same, usually unfavorable, position: When John told her how poor he was she said that she was in the same boat. sail in the same boat—act together; make common cause with a person: If I were you I wouldn’t sail in the […]
Difference between Be in the running and Make the running
be in the running—compete for smth. such as fame, smb.’s affections, etc.: A month before Joyce married Hal, three of Joyce’s boy friends seemed to be still in the running. Cf.: be out of the running—fail to achieve success as a contender: Halliburton is now out of the running for bids on lucrative construction contracts. […]
Difference between Be in the race and Make the race
be in the race— 1. compete for smth. such as public office, etc.: Morris Udall, the “liberal-progressive” spear carrier, will have to win to stay in the race. 2. (negat.) not have a chance of winning or obtaining smth.: A few years ago he wouldn’t have been in the race to own a car like […]
Be in the club vs Join the club
be in the club —(coll.) become pregnant (also: be in the pudding club): When the doctor told me I was in the club I told him he was daft—that I’d never—well, you know. join the club— 1. (also: join the crowd) is used to tell that one has already had a similar, usually unfavorable, experience: […]
Difference between Be in the clouds and Be on cloud seven
be in the clouds —(also: be in the skies) be given to daydreaming; not act according to the realities of life: I’m so practical, a little too solid perhaps, while you are, and always will be, in the clouds. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase drop from the clouds—(also: drop […]