be in murky waters—said of a confused situation where people may behave in morally questionable ways: Patton is now trying to continue running the government without the benefit of a budget. This puts him in murky waters…. Cf.: muddy the waters—make the situation less clear: Announcements that parts of this or that sector are to […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be in luck and One’s luck is in
be in luck—be lucky about smth. on this one occasion: You’re in luck—the very car you want has just come in. one’s luck is in—enjoy a period of good luck: I think I’ll put some money on the next race, while my luck is in.
Difference between Be in heaven and Be in the skies
be in heaven —(of dead people) be in the heavenly kingdom and celestial paradise: I know that Angela, who is now in heaven and wonderfully happy, forgives him, and I forgive him too. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase drop from heaven—(also: drop from the skies) appear unexpectedly as if […]
Difference between Be in Dutch with someone and Go Dutch with someone
be in Dutch with someone —(dated) be in trouble or disfavor with a person: Maybe Barn will fire me when he knows I’m in Dutch with his family. go Dutch with someone—share the cost of a meal, drink, etc. with a person: Although going Dutch is un–Korean, many young Koreans do go Dutch with their […]
Difference between Be in deep waters and Do a deep dive
be in deep waters —(also: be in deep water) be in trouble or serious financial difficulties: Spence inspected the books and realised the mining company was in deep waters with the falling copper prices. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be too deep for someone—be too difficult or complicated for […]
Difference between Be in bad taste and Taste bad
be in bad taste —(of a joke, picture, etc.) be slightly indecent or distasteful: I can’t for the life of me understand what is in bad taste about it. It is a photo of something that took place. taste bad —(usually of food)—have an unpleasant taste: That is not to say that instant coffee tastes […]
Difference between Be in a war and Be in the wars
be in a war— 1. (of a nation) be in the state of war (also: be at war): We are now in a war to the death with the German Empire. 2. participate in a military campaign: They are on the point of putting up a war memorial, though none of the people who were […]
Difference between Be in a flutter and Have a flutter
be in a flutter— 1. (also: be all of a flutter) be in a very nervous, confused, or excited state: The concert is coming soon. I’m in a flutter. 2. (of a room, etc.) be in a disordered or untidy state: Let me never see this room in a flutter again. have a flutter —(coll.) […]
Difference between “Be in a fix” and “Fix is in, the”
be in a fix —(coll.) be in a predicament or difficult situation: So I was in a fix. I didn’t want to return until I had contacted them and I couldn’t find them. fix is in, the —(sl.) the case or other matter has already been dishonestly decided: We failed to realize that we were […]
Difference between Be hung up on someone and Hang up on someone
be hung up on someone—(sl.) be strongly attracted by a person: The girl is really hung up on that musician. hang up on someone—put a telephone receiver down before one’s partner has finished speaking: She hung up on him, and left him feeling like a spanked child.
Difference between Be hung over • Hang over
be hung over —(sl.) suffer from a hangover: Do not allow anyone to operate a forklift who is under the influence of alcohol or is hung over. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be hung up—(sl.) 1. be bewildered or mentally confused: He was more than a little hung up, […]
Difference between Be housebroken and Break into a house
be housebroken —(of pet animals) be clean in the house (going outside to relieve themselves): This Doberman is housebroken, good on a leash and very intelligent. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be from a broken home—(of a child) come from a family in which the parents have separated or […]