be a law unto oneself—do what one believes is right and ignore established laws or custom: If the government becomes a law breaker it invites every man to become a law unto himself. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase lay down the law—assert smth. positively; state or declare smth. firmly: […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be a know-all and Know it all
be a know-all—said of smb. who thinks he knows everything and annoys people by showing how clever he is: I don’t see the point in arguing with someone who plays such a knowall. know it all— 1. be extremely knowledgeable; be fully informed: Did he choose the Pharisees and the Sadducees—the scribes and men who […]
Difference between Be a good life and Live a good life
be a good life—be likely to live long enough: I want to find out if he is a good life to insure. Does he live temperately? live a good life—lead a morally commendable life: I would like to be remembered as someone who lived a good life.
Difference between Be a good hand and Have good hands
be a good hand— 1. be a diligent, industrious worker: He is a good hand and enjoys his work which he does faithfully and well. 2. possess the necessary skill to do smth. well: He is a good hand at making bows and arrows, and a fine knife would be just the thing for him. […]
Difference between Be a go-getter and Have get up and go
be a go-getter—(UK coll.) be an ambitious and hard-working person: As it is a sales position, be sure to come off friendly and energetic like a real go-getter. have get up and go —(coll.) 1. (of people) have vigor and energy: You need to demonstrate, through concrete examples, that you have “get up and go.” […]
Difference between Be a drag on someone and Have drag with someone
be a drag on someone—(sl.) be a burden to a person (causing delay or slowing down progress): His wife has been a drag on him all his life. have drag with someone—(U.S. sl.) have influence over smb.: We had a big drag with the waiter because my old man drank whisky and that meant a […]
Difference between Be a devil and Be the very devil
be a devil— 1. (imper.) is used as a humorous expression of encouragement to persuade a person to do smth.: Be a devil and order us a bottle of wine! 2. be extremely bad or immoral: He was a devil to those of us who thought the war was stupid and pointless. He personified the […]
Difference between Be a close call and Be too close to call
be a close call —(also: be a close shave) said of a dangerous situation that a person just manages to avoid: Though he escaped with his life and his job, it was a close call. be too close to call—said of the outcome of a competition, etc. that is very hard to judge: The horses […]
Difference between Be a case in point and Be the case
be a case in point—be a particular instance of smth.: People have changed their minds about the Common market, and Mr. Stonchouse is a case in point. be the case—(often negat.) be a fact; be true: Please contact the rightful owner directly to confirm their interest to sell and if this is the case, to […]
Be a bomb vs Be the bomb
be a bomb—(coll.) be a failure or fiasco: Unfortunately, the film was a bomb and gained a reputation as being the only film on which Mr. Corman lost money. be the bomb—(U.S. sl., sometimes spelled “be da bomb”) be very successful; be received enthusiastically: The show was the “bomb” back in the day when it […]
Be a bad life vs Live a bad life
be a bad life—be not likely to live long enough: Elizabeth all her days was reckoned a “bad life.” live a bad life—lead a life of wickedness or immorality: He is leaving a bad life and should be kept away from the young.
Be a back seat driver vs Be in the back seat
be a back seat driver—suggest unwanted advice; tell a person in charge how to do his job: It is always easy to criticize and be a back seat driver. be in the back seat—(also: take a back seat) take a subordinate position: Dad is now in the back seat. Jonathan is in control of the […]