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

deal in something • deal with something
deal in something —trade in a particular commodity: Before
shops were common in every village, he dealt in needles,
thread, and the like.
deal with something —
1
. be a customer of a business: I’ve
dealt with this firm for twenty years. 2. manage smth.; attend
to smth.: There are many difficulties to be dealt with when
starting a business. 3. (of a book, etc.) be concerned with smth.;
treat a subject: His latest book deals with police methods.
deal with someone • make a deal with someone
deal with someone —
1
. have to do with a person: Until the
end of his term Britain has a statesman, and not a catch-vote
politician, to deal with. 2. treat or behave towards a person in
a manner specified: We ourselves shall one time or other be
dealt with as we deal with others.
make a deal with someone —make a bargain or business
transaction with smb.: He’s willing to “make a deal” with dis-
gruntled investors to win their support.
death-wish • dying wish
death-wish —a conscious or unconscious wish for the death
or downfall: Whatever handicaps he labors under as Minister,
they do not include the death-wish; he is still determined to
win the next election.
dying wish —a person’s last wish expressed at the time of
dying : We are delighted that Patrick’s remains are being
brought home in accordance with his dying wish.
decide on something • decide something
decide on something —
1
. choose smth. from two or more pos-
sibilities: After exhaustive product research, I finally decided
on licensed leather sports caps. 2. settle a question, etc.; make
a judgment on smth.: The courts that decided on the case had
been wrong in concluding that he was not the co-owner of
the property.
decide something —
1
. = decide on something 2: A jury of cit-
izens and not the judge decided the case, and the company in
which Turk owned stock actually lost. 2. influence or deter-
mine the outcome of smth.: Diallo also had no complaints
about the penalty kick that decided the match.