burn the earth—(U.S. coll., dated) go at full speed: When they reached the brow of the hill, I was half a mile in the lead, burning the earth… scorch the earth—devastate all buildings, etc. in an area so as to leave nothing to the advancing enemy: The Russians fell back upon their main line of defense, […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Burn the candle at both ends vs Butter one’s bread on both sides
burn the candle at both ends—dissipate one’s energy by doing too much: But as you are determined to live it up and have a good time, you must watch your health and try not to burn the candle at both ends. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase row with both […]
Burn someone down vs Burn someone up
burn someone down—(U.S. coll.) humiliate a person: You just want to burn down everybody to make yourself seem better. burn someone up—(U.S. coll.) 1. irritate smb. or make very angry: What burns me up is the fact that seven per cent of all the families earned $500 a year or less. 2. reprimand or scold […]
Burn down vs Burn up
burn down—(of buildings) be destroyed by fire: The old house burned down last night in the big fire. burn up —(of objects other than buildings) 1. be consumed by fire: We found our tent burned to the ground and all my books burned up. 2. be destroyed by great heat: Most meteors have burned up […]
Burn away vs Burn out
burn away— 1. continue to burn: The fire was still burning away cheerfully in the grate. 2. become less or be destroyed by burning: Half the oil in the lamp had burnt away. burn out— 1. burn visibly: The lamp burned out in the darkness of the night. 2. stop burning because there is no […]
Burn a hole in someone’s pocket vs Make a hole in someone’s pocket
burn a hole in someone’s pocket—(of money) make a person eager to spend it: It’s Sunday, everything’s closed, and there’s Bob with $10 burning a hole in his pocket. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase have money to burn—have so much money that one can spend it freely: You must […]
Difference between “Bun is in the oven, the” and “Fat is in the fire, the”
bun is in the oven, the— 1. (euph.) is used to allude to pregnancy: They have to get married because the bun is in the oven…. So my question is, am I invited? 2. things have started moving: We have no idea as to a release date as there is a lot of work still […]
Difference between Bully for someone and Bully someone
bully for someone—(exclam.) used as a mocking expression of approval: If he is acquitted, then bully for him. If he is convicted, then he goes to jail. bully someone—intimidate a person; frighten smb. into a certain course using violent threats: He saw, that he had no chance of bullying the servant.
Difference between “Bullion State, the” and “Golden State, the”
Bullion State, the—(U.S.) a nickname of the State of Missouri: Missouri has been known as the Bullion State (possibly an allusion to the nickname of Missouri senator Benton, who was known as “Old Bullion”). Golden State, the—(U.S.) a nickname of the State of California: The Golden State’s golden days seem to be a thing of […]
Difference between Build up something and Build up to something
build up something— 1. increase or develop smth. steadily: You must now build up your strength after your illness. 2. praise or promote smth.: An advertising agency can build up a product so much that everyone will want it. build up to something—lead up to smth. gradually or indirectly: You could tell by the way […]
Build bridges with someone vs Burn bridges with someone
build bridges with someone—try to make new friends or establish cooperation with an opponent: We must work with leaders of these countries and build bridges with them—both economically and politically. burn bridges with someone—do smth. that makes former relationship with smb. difficult or impossible: Robb has moved considerably leftward, and he has burned bridges with […]
Build a fire under someone vs Burn someone at the stake
build a fire under someone—(also: light a fire under someone) do smth. to motivate or stimulate a person; make smb. work better or harder: These students are incredibly motivated. You don’t have to build a fire under them. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase throw someone into the frying […]