be against something—express opposition to smth.: And even though no one in the audience was against the project, there was plenty of skepticism. be up against something—(also: come up against something ) encounter a serious obstacle or problem: But now we are up against a different kind of health concern—a potential pandemic. If the bird […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be afraid and “be afraid, be very afraid”
be afraid— 1. be frightened or apprehensive about smth.: Willie recounted his life of drugs and violence in remorseless terms, and said he was not afraid to die. 2. feeling regret about smth.: Mary did not let me send the paper at first, she kept hoping it was a mistake, but I am afraid it […]
Difference between Be absent from something and Be absent in something
be absent from something—(of people) be not present at a place: He is never absent from work without an excuse. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase absent oneself from something—stay away from an event, etc.; avoid something: I absented myself from the conversation at the next decent opportunity. be absent […]
Difference between Be about to and Be not about to
be about to—be on the point of doing smth.: But just as he was about to say something, he forgot what it was he was about to say. be not about to— 1. be not going to do smth. soon: It seems that conventional teaching is not about to be supplanted by virtual universities. 2. […]
Difference between Be a steady hand and Have a steady hand
be a steady hand—be not given to frivolity, eccentricity, etc.: Thomas is a steady hand, never late for business, never out of temper… have a steady hand— 1. have a firm hand, one not shaky: Mr. Peterson still has a steady hand, shaving himself twice weekly. 2. (usually of a leader) be firm and consistent […]
Difference between Be a standoff and Be standoffish
be a standoff—said of a situation in which the two sides in a conflict, etc. are equally matched or equally unyielding: There was a standoff for a few hours, while police spoke to the man urging him to give himself up. be standoffish—said of a person who is reluctant to show friendship or enter into […]
Difference between Be a sight for sore eyes and Be a sight to behold
be a sight for sore eyes—said of a person or thing one is pleased or happy to see: MacLaine is quite a sight for sore eyes when she shows up in the movie. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase be eye candy— 1. be visually attractive: We waited a little […]
Difference between Be a queer fish and Be queer
be a queer fish —(also: be a queer bird) be an eccentric or odd person: He was a queer fish, but they were used to queer fish, and they took him for granted. be queer— 1. = be a queer fish: Every woman who steps forward to claim her rights faces the allegation that she […]
Difference between Be a natural and Be natural
be a natural— 1. be naturally deficient in intellect; be a halfwitted person: She is not quite a natural, that is, not an absolute idiot. 2. have natural talents that make smb. particularly suitable for a task: I’m not a natural. This present play is my last, I’ve decided. be natural—demonstrate behavior that is not […]
Difference between Be a man of character and Be quite the character
be a man of character—be a man of good repute: He was a man of character. He performed more acts of charity and kindness than any of us will ever know of. be quite the character—used as a mild form of reproof or humorous admiration for a person showing independence in thoughts or actions: She […]
Difference between Be a long day coming and It’s going to be a long day
be a long day coming—said of smth. that has taken long to materialize: The team’s achieving success by winning the division title has been a long day coming. it’s going to be a long day— 1. said of a day perceived as long and boring: With nothing else to be done, and Steve’s not arriving […]
Difference between Be a little short of something and Be little short of something
be a little short of something—just barely fail to have the required amount of smth.: Mr. Rhodes was prevented from sailing for Europe owing to the fact that he was a little short of passage money. be little short of something—(also: be nothing short of something) be the same as smth.; be nothing less than […]