bring someone up—raise a child; educate a person: I was brought up on a farm in Somerset and have been riding and hunting almost since I could walk. bring someone up short—confound or confuse smb.: A translator is often brought up short by simple words that have no exact equivalent in another language.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Bring someone under control and Bring someone under one’s control
bring someone under control—subject a person to restraint of behavior: Princess Máxima tried to bring the children under control with a stern face, but failed at the attempt. bring someone under one’s control—achieve dominion over a person; subject smb. to one’s authority: The dictator was at last able to bring the army under his control.
Difference between Bring someone to justice and Do justice to someone
bring someone to justice—arrest, try and sentence a person who has committed a crime: “Cannot this infamous scoundrel be brought to justice?” I inquired. do justice to someone—acknowledge smb.’s merits: For many years the London public has failed to do justice to the prima ballerina. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the […]
Difference between Bring someone to grief and Give someone grief
bring someone to grief—cause a person to experience misfortune, injury or ruin: He was noted for having a quick temper, which often brought him to grief. give someone grief— 1. cause smb. pain or sorrow: This bite really gave me grief , and yet it is still a mildish bite from one of the less […]
Difference between Bring someone low and Lay someone low
bring someone low—defeat smb. or force into a humble position: The cruel rulers were brought low by the determined action of the people. lay someone low— 1. knock smb. to the ground: With one blow, the experienced fighter laid his young opponent low. 2. (of a disease) make a person take to bed (usually Passive): […]
Difference between Bring someone into the world and Usher someone into the world
bring someone into the world— 1. give birth to a child: Do you know what the finest thing you’ve done is—aside from bringing Hugh into the world? 2. (of a doctor) attend the birth of a child: I’ve known Mrs. Anderson a long time—brought her two children into the world—and she’s a fine little woman. […]
Difference between Bring someone into the picture and Put someone in the picture
bring someone into the picture—cause smb. to be involved in or concerned with a situation: “You may need me as a witness….”“No Steve. Unless it becomes absolutely necessary to bring you into the picture, I think I’d rather not.” put someone in the picture—tell smb. about a situation; give a person all the relevant information: […]
Difference between Bring someone down to earth and Bring someone to the ground
bring someone down to earth— 1. cause a pilot to descend: If you take your parachute you have a certain return ticket, and one that will bring you safely down to earth. 2. (also: bring someone down) make a person return to reality (face unpleasant truth, etc.): So I call for the bill. Which brings […]
Difference between Bring someone down and Bring someone down a peg
bring someone down— 1. (also: bring someone to the ground) cause a person to come down or fall: In American football, you have to try to bring down your opponent. 2. (also: bring someone to the ground) defeat an enemy or an opponent: Truman wanted to bring down his rival in the next election and […]
Difference between Bring someone back and Bring someone back out
bring someone back—make a person or animal come back to life: There was nothing that would bring Jimmy’s cat back. It was truly dead. bring someone back out—succeed in bringing a performer back onto the stage for applause: They brought her back out seven times, cheering and applauding.
Difference between Bring shame on someone and Put someone to shame
bring shame on someone—bring discredit upon a person; disgrace or dishonor a person: Bessie, whatever you do—don’t bring shame on the family like I have. put someone to shame—make smb. feel ashamed or humiliated (by showing superior qualities): That she had not been put to shame and made to feel her unfortunate position seemed remarkable.
Difference between Bring sand to the beach and Sell snow to the Eskimos
bring sand to the beach—come with a girlfriend or boyfriend to a party where there are plenty of single women and men: Actually, I don’t suggest bringing any significant other to a club—why bring sand to the beach. sell snow to the Eskimos—take goods, etc. to a place where they are already plentiful: It sounds […]