bring one’s pigs to a bad market—(UK dated) be unsuccessful; fail in an undertaking (also: bring one’s eggs to a bad market): Yet, desirous as the schoolmaster might be to send the spectators away in good humor, he brought his eggs to a bad market. bring one’s pigs to a fine market—(ironic) = bring one’s […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Bring one’s mind to something and Bring something to mind
bring one’s mind to something—direct one’s attention to smth.: Again, Phillips cannot bring his mind to touch the issue squarely; it keeps shying into side issues. bring something to mind—make a person recall smth.: It brought to mind an experience I had in Labrador this past summer when I was up there fishing. Note: The […]
Difference between Bring home the bacon and Bring home the silver
bring home the bacon— 1. work and earn money for one’s family: Single mothers get little support, and the system has long been constructed on the premise that the husbands will bring home the bacon. 2. succeed in an undertaking; accomplish smth. of significant value: The company’s aggressive promotional efforts seem to have brought home […]
Difference between Bring down the curtain on something and Draw the curtain on something
bring down the curtain on something—(also: ring down the curtain on something ) cause an activity, business, etc. to come to an end: Lewis refuses to fix a date when he will bring down the curtain on his incredible fight career. draw the curtain on something—(also: draw the curtain over something ) refrain from discussing […]
Difference between Bright in the eye and Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
bright in the eye —(dated sl.) slightly drunk: “You are drunk!” Walter clutched the window frame and muttered, “Just a trifle bright in the eye, love.” bright-eyed and bushy-tailed—(U.S. sl.) alert and enthusiastic; ready for action: You look all bright-eyed and bushytailed this morning.
Difference between Bright as a button and Bright as a new pin
bright as a button—(usually of children) intelligent; quickminded: You can’t fool Mandy. She may be only six years old, but she’s bright as a button. Note: The expression is antonymous in meaning to the phrase bright as a two-watt bulb—(Austral., ironic) dull or stupid: Johnnie’s about as bright as a two-watt bulb, and sometimes the […]
Difference between Bridal banquet and Bridal party
bridal banquet—a wedding festivity: The bridal banquet is not an obligatory part of the wedding process, and its holding will depend on the traditions of the bride’s family. bridal party—the bride and her attendants and friends: The question of who should be invited to join the bridal party was a huge topic of discussion this […]
Difference between Breakdown car and Broken-down car
breakdown car—a truck which is used to tow inoperative vehicles: If you have a breakdown we are always on call with our own breakdown car. broken-down car—a car that stops working because there is smth. wrong with it: The wayside was strewn with motor tires and broken down cars.
Difference between Break time and Broken time
break time—an interval for lunch: Many schools are on the one hand educating children about healthy eating and on the other selling at break time nothing less than junk foods. broken time—working time reduced by interruptions, etc.: It is up to each individual union to deal with this problem, but the obvious right course is […]
Difference between Break the wind and Break wind
break the wind—said of a line of trees, fence, etc. which gives protection against the wind: The dunes break the wind on the beach and provide a beautiful background. break wind—(euph., also: pass wind) expel intestinal gas from the anus: I’ll kill the first son of a bitch who even breaks wind. Note: Neither expression […]
Difference between Break the Queen’s English and Clip the Queen’s English
break the Queen’s English —(also: break the King’s English) speak incorrectly owing to lack of skill: Every Berliner feels exalted when a real English jockey speaks to him and gives him an opportunity of breaking the Queen’s English. clip the Queen’s English —(dated sl., also: clip the King’s English) pronounce words hurriedly and indistinctly when […]
Difference between Break something down and Break something up
break something down— 1. destroy smth. by reducing to pieces: The old cars were broken down for their metal and parts. 2. cause smth. to be defeated; overcome smth.: The police tried to break down the prisoner’s opposition. 3. cause matter to undergo chemical change: Chemicals in the body break down our food into useful […]