beyond limits—beyond the bounds of what is usual or proper: The total lack of respect from the staff in this place was beyond limits. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase without limits—without restriction; to any extent or degree: If only the banks would lend money without limits! out of limits […]
Droop vs Wilt vs Flag vs Sag
Droop, wilt, flag, sag are comparable when they mean to sink or to lose in vigor, firmness, or freshness.
Draw vs Tie vs Stalemate vs Deadlock vs Standoff
Draw, tie, stalemate, deadlock, standoff mean an indecisive ending to a contest or competition or a contest or competition ending indecisively.
Difference between Beyond it and Off it
beyond it—(also: past it) unable any longer to pursue a normally active life as when younger: Jackson is eighty, yet he still goes to business every day. Most people are beyond it long before that age. off it—(coll.) not feeling well: I shall hesitate before swallowing painkillers next time I feel off it and give […]
Dramatic vs Theatrical vs Dramaturgic vs Melodramatic vs Histrionic
Dramatic, theatrical, dramaturgic, melodramatic, histrionic are not close synonyms although all imply special reference to plays as performed by actors or to the effects which are produced by acted plays.
Difference between Between maid and Go-between
between maid—(UK dated) a young girl servant who helps in cooking and housework: She saved money for the voyage by working as a “between maid” in the London home of a “titled lady.” go-between—smb. acting as a messenger or intermediary between two parties: Beginning in the seventies, he was a gobetween for Western arms manufacturers […]
Difference between Between dog and wolf and Between hawk and buzzard
between dog and wolf—is used of the time of twilight: The thought of dinner … drove out the eeriness of the twilight glen. The hour between dog and wolf was passing. between hawk and buzzard— 1. facing equally bad or undesirable alternatives: “We are between hawk and buzzard,” said Livingston; “we puzzle ourselves between the […]
Dower vs Endow vs Endue
Dower, endow, endue are comparable when meaning to furnish or provide with a gift.
Downcast vs Dispirited vs Dejected vs Depressed vs Disconsolate vs Woebegone
Downcast, dispirited, dejected, depressed, disconsolate, woebegone mean affected by or showing very low spirits.
Difference between Between a rock and a hard place and Between wind and water
between a rock and a hard place—facing equally bad or undesirable alternatives: His client was between a rock and a hard place—actually the state of New York and his landlord. between wind and water—said of the most vulnerable part: Mallinson must have guessed what was coming. Nevertheless, it hit him between wind and water.
Dough vs Batter vs Paste
Dough, batter, paste are quasi-synonyms often confused in their modern cookery senses.
Difference between Bet on the wrong horse and Put the saddle on the wrong horse
bet on the wrong horse—(also: back the wrong horse) base one’s plans, etc. on a wrong guess about smth.: To count on the family farm as an important thing in the American future looks like betting on the wrong horse. put the saddle on the wrong horse —(also: get the wrong pig by the tail) […]