believe in something— 1. have trust in smth.; feel sure of the value of smth.: The United States believes in the great potential of Africa. 2. feel sure of the existence of smth.: Clever farmers made good use of the belief of these people who believed in ghosts. believe something—feel sure of the truth of […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Behind the veil and Under the veil
behind the veil —(also: beyond the veil) is used with reference to the next world: He [Christ] described the world behind the veil with the graphic force of one to whom it was no unknown country. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase behind the scenes—out of public view; in secret: […]
Difference between Behind the times and Behind time
behind the times— 1. (of things) old-fashioned or out of date: The science books of twenty years ago are behind the times now. 2. (of people) using things not in style; following old ways: Mary thinks her parents are behind the times because they still do the foxtrot. behind time— 1. (of a clock) slow; […]
Difference between Behind one’s time and Past one’s time
behind one’s time— 1. after the usual or proper time: Master Gammon was half an hour behind his time for bed, and had dropped asleep in his chair. 2. using things not in style; following old ways: I started to think that either Ben had been so ahead of his time when he first came […]
Difference between Before Christ and Before God
before Christ—(abbreviated B.C.) before the Christian era (of a date calculated backwards from the birth of Christ): Morrison mentions a dictionary in the Chinese language as having been compiled 1100 years before Christ. before God—(used as a solemn declaration) as God sees me; as God is my witness: “I will bring up your son as […]
Difference between Beefeater and Meat eater
Beefeater—(UK) 1. one of the Warders of the Tower of London: The Beefeaters at the Tower wear the costume of Henry VIIth’s body-guard. 2. an officer in the (ceremonial) bodyguard of the British monarch: In order to become a Beefeater, you must have an unblemished conduct record. meat eater—(U.S. sl.) a corrupt policeman: Meat eaters […]
Difference between Beef-tea and Meat tea
beef-tea—juice of beef strained off after cooking in water (given as stimulating food to people who are ill): Miss Lawson tiptoed into the room, carrying a cup of beef-tea. meat tea —(also: meat-tea) a meal taken between lunch and supper with some kind of meat dish included: This high occasion was to be celebrated by […]
Difference between Beef head (UK) and Beef head (U.S.)
beef head (UK)—(sl.) a slow witted person: You may look all hot and sexy, but with that attitude you’ll only end up with a beef head of a partner. beef head (U.S.)—(sl.) a resident of Texas: A resident of Texas was called a “Beef-Head” by at least 1869. The name is related to Texas’s famous […]
Difference between Bed of roses and Rose bed
bed of roses —(usually negat.) said of a pleasant, easy condition of life: Post war Hungary was no bed of roses. Political oppression permeated every facet of life…. Cf.: bed of thorns—said of a situation of anxiety and apprehension: It was a bed of thorns every hour of every day all through the making of […]
Difference between Bed head and Sleepy head
bed head—(sl.) the way one’s hair looks after sleeping on it: The only time my hair is curly is when I have a bed head. sleepy head—(coll.) a sleepy or lethargic person: I will give Laura a big hug as soon as she’s awake. She really is a sleepy head.
Difference between Become history and Go down in history
become history—said of a past event, etc. that has lost its original impact or importance: Autocratic monarchy has become history now, and republicanism has become a reality. go down in history—said of an event that is notable or memorable in history: The Northern Ireland peace agreement will go down in history as an agreement that […]
Difference between Beauty sleep and Sleeping beauty
beauty sleep—an afternoon nap or rest taken to improve the appearance: I remember my grandmother always took her “beauty sleep”—heaven knows how she managed it with all she did. sleeping beauty—a business company which is a prime target for takeover because it has a high profit potential: The interesting thing with Zenith is that the […]