be assured of something— 1. be guaranteed smth.: General Franks is assured of a place in history in a country where former officials are respected even when out of office. 2. have trust in smth.; be positive about smth.: The king was assured of the rectitude of the motives on which he had himself acted. […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be ancient history and Be history
be ancient history—said of a past event that has lost its original impact or importance: For today’s high school students all of that war is ancient history. be history— 1. said of smb. whose career has been brought to an end: We are familiar with that reference: “He is history now,” which condemns some poor […]
Difference between Be all wet and Be wet
be all wet—(U.S. coll.) be completely wrong: If you think I’m going to take that kind of talk from you, you’re all wet. be wet—(UK coll.) be unable to make decisions or take firm actions: Don’t be so wet! Just tell them that you don’t want to go. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with […]
Difference between Be against something and Be up against something
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 […]
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 […]