beard the lion in his den—confront a person of power courageously on his own ground: Seeking to give Robbie’s father a piece of her mind she elects to beard the lion in his den—or rather his business office. walk into the lion’s den—find oneself in a difficult situation in which one has to face unfriendly […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Bear someone and Bear with someone
bear someone— 1. (usually Passive) give birth to a child: She bore three children in three years. 2. (usually negat.) tolerate or endure smb.: She could not bear the man Joe she was living with. bear with someone—put up with a person; show patience towards smb.: Bear with me while I try to remember exactly […]
Difference between Bear market and Bull market
bear market—(Stock Market) a period of time when the prices of securities are falling or are expected to fall, and investors pull out their money: Two months before the end of the bear market, Business Week ran an article titled “Running scared from stocks.” bull market—(Stock Market) a period when investment seems promising and people […]
Difference between Bear down on something and Bear on something
bear down on something—move towards smth.; approach smth. quickly: With the wind blowing strongly behind, the boat bore down on the harbor. bear on something—have relation to smth.; be connected with smth.: That bears on what you were saying about the problem.
Difference between Bear a resemblance to something and Bear a semblance of something
bear a resemblance to something—(also: have a resemblance to something ) seem similar to smth., especially in external appearance: Both in the treatment of the face and in the pose of the body the figure bears a resemblance to certain Kushan sculpture. bear a semblance of something—(also: have a semblance of something ) have a […]
Difference between “Be written in black and white” and “See something in black and white”
be written in black and white—be put down in writing (as a proof of smth.): The fact that I am gay is written down in black and white. I came out at teaching college and the fact was put down in my personal file. see something in black and white—see complex issues in simple terms […]
Difference between Be worth doing something and Be worthy of doing something
be worth doing something—be good enough to justify spending one’s time on: This book is worth reading, but keep in mind the saying “you shouldn’t believe everything you read.” be worthy of doing something—be of high level of excellence to deserve smth.: I am still of the opinion that it is worthy of reading by […]
Difference between Be wide of the mark and Come short of the mark
be wide of the mark —(also: be off the mark) be inaccurate or erroneous in one’s judgment: The idea that the Israelis are anxious to dictate a Carthaginian peace is ludicrously wide of the mark. come short of the mark—(also: fall short of the mark) fail to attain some desired object or end: A perfectly […]
Difference between Be whole of mind and Be whole-minded
be whole of mind—(arch., formal) be mentally normal; be of sound mind (used in wills and trusts): I Richard Ballard of Orbye being whole of mind and perfect of remembrance make my last will and testament. Note: a) The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase whole of mind and body—safe and sound; […]
Difference between Be well connected and Have a good connection
be well connected—have relatives who hold important positions: He learnt from other sources that the Ernscliffes were well connected. have a good connection—have many customers, clients, etc.: He set up in business and soon had a good connection.
Difference between Be well away and Be well off
be well away— 1. be a long way off (from a place): We truly were well away from civilization, wild Africa at its very best! 2. (coll.) be very drunk: Bristow had a bottle of whisky and I had one of gin so we were well away. be well off—be financially comfortable: By central European […]
Be welcome vs Be welcomed
be welcomed—be warmly greeted: