be best at something—be more skilled and capable in one particular area relative to others: He excels at most of the subjects taught here, although he is best at chemistry. be the best at something—be much superior to other people in a particular area: Mrs. Hough is the best at making children feel at home […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be beside the mark and Be off the mark
be beside the mark—be not relevant to the subject under discussion: We were discussing working conditions; his remarks about high rents were beside the mark. be off the mark— 1. (also: be wide of the mark) be inaccurate or erroneous in one’s judgment: Sometimes he was off the mark. A lot of times he was […]
Difference between Be bent on doing something and Have a bent for something
be bent on doing something—be determined to do smth.; have the mind set on smth.: There is always a proportion of the crowd bent on harrying the speaker. have a bent for something—have a natural interest and ability in a particular area: James, who had a bent for figures, took care of the financial end […]
Difference between Be beat and Be beaten
be beat—(coll.) 1. (also: be dead-beat) be very tired; be utterly exhausted: I am beat from all this packing and moving of stuff. 2. be defeated in a competition: His team was beat because it failed to execute properly during the most critical moments of the game. be beaten — = be beat 2: The moment […]
Difference between Be bad form and Be in bad form
be bad form—(of manners or behavior) be improper as judged by accepted social standards: It is considered bad form to arrive too early at a dinner party. be in bad form—(Sport) be in bad condition of health and training: Even when Henin is in bad form, you need to have real smart strategy to beat […]
Difference between Be aware of something and Beware of something
be aware of something—have knowledge of smth.; be conscious of smth.: The government is already aware of an insufficient electricity supply. beware of something—(imper.) be on guard against smth.: Beware of the rain … make sure your camera is well-protected if in a side-pocket.
Difference between Be at the crossroads and Cross paths
be at the crossroads—be at a critical turning-point at which two or more courses of action are possible: Students are through with their exams and are now at the crossroads of a choice of career. cross paths—meet or encounter a person: Occasionally they will cross paths, especially to compete in a nationally televised debate arranged by […]
Be at the back of one’s mind vs Cast one’s mind back to something
be at the back of one’s mind —(also: be in the back of one’s mind) be vaguely aware of smth. that is not present in one’s conscious thoughts: There was at the back of his mind an idea, dimly seen at moments, never wholly comprehended. cast one’s mind back to something—think about smth. that happened […]
Be at someone’s service vs Be in someone’s service
be at someone’s service— 1. be ready to help or assist a person: I am at your service whenever you should need my advice. 2. (of things) be at smb.’s disposal or ready to be used: My car is at your service to take you around Rome and its surroundings. Note: The expression is not equivalent […]
Difference between Be at rest and Be resting
be at rest— 1. be in a state of physical or mental repose: He sat in his chair, still, but not at rest: expectant evidently. 2. (of an issue) be settled or decided: I never can take any office under the present rulers; so that question is at rest. 3. (euph.) be dead and buried: He […]
Difference between Be at loose ends and Tie up loose ends
be at loose ends —(also: be at a loose end) 1. be without employment or fixed occupation: He was the only stranger in Cyprus who was thus at a loose end, as it were, and not on some professional duty. 2. be in an unsettled or uncertain situation: He’s at loose ends. Hates his work, […]
Difference between Be at each other’s throats and Cut each other’s throats
be at each other’s throats—be arguing violently; be very angry with each other: We cannot deal with tomorrow’s problems if we are at each other’s throats over economic issues. cut each other’s throats—harm each other’s interests, especially because of fierce competition: They are cutting each other’s throats in their eagerness to finish the work first.