A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

specific criteria • specified criteria
specific criteria —criteria relating to one particular thing,
that is, not general: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual lists spe -
cific criteria that enable the clinician to establish a diagnosis.
specified criteria —criteria named definitely; criteria included
in the specifications: The student is asked to make a plan for
a garden that meets specified criteria.
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specific criteria

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speculate in something • speculate on something
speculate in something —buy and sell smth. with hope of
profit through changes in its market value: These proposals
are opposed by traders who speculate in oil.
speculate on something —form opinions about smth. without
knowing for certain: Do not speculate on what he would have
done had he been there.
speed zone • speedway
speed zone —a section of road subject to a lower than normal
speed limit: A plan to turn central Sydney into a 40 kmh
speed zone has been met with concern by taxi drivers.
speedway —
1
. a road on which motor vehicles may travel
fast: You can see it [mansion] any day you drive up the speed-
way. It has stood there for over a hundred years. 2. a racing
track for motor vehicles: Fans from around the world converge
on the speedway for the best in road racing, super cross and
dirt track competition.
spend a fortune • spend a penny
spend a fortune —spend a large sum of money: Williams was
found guilty at his first two trials, and spent a fortune on
appeals over an eight-year period.
spend a penny —(UK euph.) visit a lavatory: Where’s the
bathroom? Us girls are going to spend a penny!
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase put one’s two cents in—(U.S.) add one’s comments or
opinion on the matter (also: throw one’s two cents in): Since the
subject has been brought up I feel compelled to put my two
cents in.