be stuck up— 1. (sl.) said of an armed robbery: It was only the previous night that he had been “stuck up,” with a pistol at his head. 2. (coll.) be hindered from proceeding on a journey, etc.: Luckily, we got stuck up in a town and not in the middle of nowhere. be stuck-up—(coll.) […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Be stuck on someone and Be stuck with someone
be stuck on someone—(sl.) feel a strong attraction to a person: You’d say she was kind of stuck on the fellow at the first meeting although it was a blind date. be stuck with someone—(coll.) be unable to get rid of an unwanted person: The truly sad thing is that I am stuck with him […]
Difference between Be stuck for something and Be stuck on something
be stuck for something—(coll.) be unable to obtain smth.: An undergraduate is no longer “stuck” for a dinner, a seat at a play, a railroad ticket. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase stick up for something—(coll.) declare oneself in favor of smth.; support a cause: I shall always like him […]
Difference between Be stiff-necked and Have a stiff neck
be stiff-necked —(also: be hard-necked) be stubborn or haughty: She was stiff-necked, but he would make her see reason. have a stiff neck—suffer from a condition in which the head cannot be moved without pain: By the time the train pulled into the station, he had a stiff neck and an aching back. Note: The […]
Difference between Be someone’s right-hand man and Stay on the right side of someone
be someone’s right-hand man—act as a person’s chief assistant: I’m counting on you being my right-hand man. stay on the right side of someone —(also: keep on the right side of someone) continue to be friendly with smb.: It will pay you to stay on the right side of the boss, as if you annoy […]
Difference between Be sold on someone and Be sold out to someone
be sold on someone—(U.S. coll.) be accepted by a person as worthy: When we first moved in, our neighbors seemed cold and unfriendly, but now we are sold on them. Cf.: be sold on something—be persuaded to recognize the worth or desirability of smth.: Parliament, and presumably the citizens, were sold on the idea of […]
Difference between Be soft in the head and Have a hard head
be soft in the head—(coll.) be foolish or mentally retarded (also: be weak in the head): One of the curses of being a science-fiction writer is that unsophisticated people assume you to be soft in the head. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be weak-minded—be not firm or resolute enough: […]
Difference between Be set on doing something and Be set to do something
be set on doing something—be determined to do smth.: Roberts was outraged, and thereafter he and Nieuwendyk were set on leaving the team. be set to do something—be ready and prepared to do smth.: We were set to enjoy the weekend in a deluxe room overlooking Downtown Disney.
Difference between Be seated and Be unseated
be seated— 1. (imper.) is used as an invitation to sit down: Thank you all for being here today and please be seated. 2. be placed in a chair or other seat: Once they were seated in her office, she started to explain the problem. 3. be established in a position of power or authority: […]
Difference between Be ringed and Be rung
be ringed— 1. be encircled or surrounded: The village was ringed by a wall of sharp-thorned acacia branches woven tightly together. 2. (of birds) have a numbered ring attached to their legs, so that various aspects of the bird’s life can be studied: The first birds to be ringed in southern Africa were Cape Griffons. […]
Difference between Be related to someone and Relate to someone
be related to someone—be connected by family to smb.: I am distantly related to the Rochesters by the mother’s side. relate to someone— 1. concern a person: When it doesn’t relate to me I can’t find the energy to worry about it. 2. communicate or deal with other people: Children need to learn to relate […]
Difference between Be reflected in something and Reflect on something
be reflected in something—be clearly shown in smth.: The low level of interest in the election has been reflected in the unwillingness of the citizens to vote. reflect on something—bring smth. into question or disfavor: Your behavior reflects on the good name of the school.