butter someone up —(coll.) flatter a person in order to get him to do smth.: No, I am not trying to butter up the professor who is going to grade me on this. oil someone up— 1. (Austral. sl.) advise a person; give smb. reliable information: Don’t worry, I’ll oil him up on what needs […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between “Butcher, baker, candlestick maker” and “chief cook and bottle washer”
butcher, baker, candlestick maker—said of people with traditional occupations or skills: Jean rushed to his favorite wine merchant, to his tobacconist, to his butcher, baker, candlestick maker. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase doctor, lawyer, or Indian chief—whatever your profession or occupation: You can be a doctor, lawyer, or Indian […]
Difference between But me no buts and There are no buts about it
but me no buts—(coll.) don’t give me any of your excuses: But me no buts this time, just do what I tell you and do it at once! there are no buts about it—(coll.) there is no doubt about it: I saw you steal the money from the drawer. There are no buts about it.
Difference between Busy as a bee and Busy as a beehive
busy as a bee—(of a person) full of lively activity; very busy: I don’t have time to talk to you. I am as busy as a bee. busy as a beehive—(of an office, shop, etc.) crowded with customers; bustling with activity: The firm was at once as busy as a beehive.
Difference between Bust one’s balls and Bust someone’s balls
bust one’s balls —(coarse sl.; used of men) work extremely hard to accomplish smth.: I have only two days until the examination, so I have to bust my balls if I don’t want to fail. bust someone’s balls —(coarse sl.) 1. make fun of or tease a man: Everybody in the classroom bust Tom’s balls […]
Difference between Businessman and Man of business
businessman—a man who is engaged in business (running a commercial or industrial firm, etc.): His father was a wellknown businessman in the city. man of business— 1. = businessman: A man of business should be quick, decisive, and callous against small rubs. 2. (UK) a person’s agent or solicitor: As her man of business, I […]
Difference between Bush telegraph and Field telegraph
bush telegraph—(also: bush wireless) rapid dissemination of rumors, information, etc. by word-of-mouth: “How did the Imam get to know about it?” “The bush telegraph works very well here in Bahrain.” field telegraph—(Military) a movable telegraph system for use on campaign, maneuvers, etc.: The field telegraph detachments are trained in peace time to everything connected with […]
Difference between Bush Negro and Bushman
Bush Negro—one of a people of African ancestry descended from runaway slaves and inhabiting the Guianas in South America: Saramakkan is spoken only by the Bush Negroes on the upper reaches of the Surinam or “Saramakka” river. Bushman—member of certain nomadic tribes in the desert regions of South Africa: In Africa … we find the […]
Difference between Bush baby and Bushboy
bush baby—any of several small African lemurs of the genus Galago: The occasional cry of a bush-baby alone broke the awful silence. Bushboy—Bushman (member of certain nomadic tribes in the desert regions of South Africa): I found a funny little fellow in the shape of the Bushboy awaiting my arrival.
Difference between Bus boy and Busman
bus boy—(also: busboy) a person whose duty is to clear and reset tables in a restaurant: They felt embarrassed, the way a professional fighter would feel after beating hell out of a bus boy. busman—the driver of a bus: Mark was an asset to the club with his experience working as a busman in the […]
Difference between Burst at the seams and Come apart at the seams
burst at the seams— 1. be full to overflowing; be crammed with people or things: The little hall was practically bursting at the seams. 2. be unable to contain one’s pride, uncontrolled laughter, etc.: We laughed so hard we just about burst at the seams. come apart at the seams —(also: fall apart at the […]
Burn the water vs Set the Thames on fire
burn the water—(Fishermen) spear salmon by torchlight: Water-bailiffs are sent up the rivers at certain times to prevent “burning the water.” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase boil the ocean—try smth. way too ambitious that cannot reasonably be completed: Don’t attempt to boil the ocean. If your initial concept is […]