be hooked—(sl.) 1. be very dependent or keen on smth.: We’re not so hooked on the church, except for those bornagain Christians. 2. be addicted to smth.: It’s too depressing when you’re hooked, besides a girl looks terrible on heroin. 3. be captivated or charmed: Let me tell you, she’s really something. Oh, boy, was […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be high as a kite and Fly one’s kite high
be high as a kite —(sl.) 1. be very excited or exhilarated: I was as high as a kite and full of the joys of spring. The day was good and getting better…. 2. be very drunk or affected by drugs: When I put you to bed you were high as a kite on vodka. […]
Difference between Be heartless and Not have the heart
be heartless—be callous, unfeeling, or cruel: He made up his mind that I was heartless and selfish. not have the heart—(also: have no heart) 1. have no inclination or enthusiasm for smth.: It was the most miserable meal … and I had not the heart to propose the Loyal Toast at the end. 2. be […]
Difference between Be headstrong and Have a strong head
be headstrong—be self-willed and obstinate: George Eliot’s young country hero is headstrong and arrogant, and sees the world in black and white. have a strong head —(coll.) be not easily intoxicated by liquor: I could drink as much as the best of them and I had, for such a youngster, a tolerable strong head. Note: […]
Difference between Be hardly out of the shell and Come out of one’s shell
be hardly out of the shell—be too young and inexperienced: You are hardly out of the shell and already you have the temerity to question the authority of the Talmud! come out of one’s shell—(also: crawl out of one’s shell) become more sociable and outgoing: Under the soothing influence of coffee and tobacco, he came […]
Difference between Be hanged and Be hung
be hanged—be put to death by hanging: Bentley’s appeal against his conviction was dismissed and he was hanged in Wandsworth prison. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be left hanging— 1. (of people) be kept waiting for a decision or answer: I was left hanging for three weeks before I […]
Difference between Be had and Be had up
be had—(coll.) be tricked or deceived: I apologize for being so forceful, but I’ve been had before; I don’t want others to share the experience if I can help. be had up —(coll.) cause a person to appear in court: I doubt if anybody thought about Chapman as a possible killer much before he was […]
Difference between Be green-eyed and See green in someone’s eye
be green-eyed—be jealous or envious: Collectors were greeneyed … they consoled themselves by saying the collection had cost too much. see green in someone’s eye—think a person to be credulous and inexperienced: Do you see any green in my eye? Do you take me for a fool?
Difference between Be green and Be green around the gills
be green— 1. be inexperienced: During his speech, Obama praised Bennet while acknowledging he is a bit green in politics…. 2. be environmentally friendly: These are also made with other recycled materials, so yes, they are very green in terms of helping the environment. be green around the gills —(coll.) 1. look indisposed or unwell: […]
Difference between Be good form and Be in good form
be good form—behave according to custom or etiquette: It is not considered good form to arrive too early at a dinner party. be in good form— 1. (Sport) be in good condition of health and training: If a horse is in good form it is likely to win a race. 2. be in good spirits: […]
Difference between Be gone on someone and Have a go at someone
be gone on someone—(coll.) be enamored of or in love with a person: He is very gone on girls, is always falling in and out of love. have a go at someone—(UK coll.) scold or criticize a person: Don’t have a go at me—it’s your fault we lost the contract. Note: The expression does not […]
Difference between Be full of something and Have one’s fill of something
be full of something—have a large amount of smth.: These brave emigrants were full of hope for a better future. have one’s fill of something— 1. have had enough of smth. such as food: You never know if Charlie has had his fill of liquor. 2. have more of smth. than a person can tolerate: […]