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

by virtue of something • in virtue of something
by virtue of something —by means of smth.; through the
agency of smth.: It was only by virtue of his indomitable will-
power that he finally succeeded.
– 63 –
by virtue of something

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in virtue of something —by reason of smth.; on account of
smth.: He was given a position on the board in virtue of his
long association with the company.
by word of mouth • mouth words
by word of mouth — hear about smth. from another person:
I can’t remember seeing it advertised much, so most people
probably hear about it by word of mouth.
mouth words —
1
. form words silently with one’s lips: Since
the mansion was wired with microphones, Howard would
mouth words silently when she wanted to have a private con-
versation. 2. speak in an indistinct way: Patients treated in
the intensive care unit communicate primarily through head
nods and mouthing words.
bypass something • pass something by
by-pass something —
1
. make a detour (round a town, etc.):
The scheme has been referred to as “the Selborne by-pass,”
but it does not bypass Selborne at all. 2. avoid or ignore smth.
(by using an alternative approach): I will now try to explain
in detail how to bypass this problem.
pass something by —walk past smth. (without paying atten-
tion): You take it for a stone cross … and you pass it by incu-
riously.
C
call box (UK) • call box (U.S.)
call box (UK)—(also: phone box) a telephone booth: Mrs.
Johnson is now urging the woman to come forward, after the
caller did not leave her contact number and phoned from a
call box.
call box (U.S.)—emergency telephone installed along the
sides of many highways, on university campuses, etc.: Drivers
can use call boxes in case of an accident or other emergency.