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

arm in arm • hand in hand
arm in arm —with one’s arm under or around another per-
son’s arm: Sally and Joan were laughing as they walked arm in
arm down the street.
hand in hand —
1
. holding hands: Molly and her stepmother
wandered about in the gardens hand in hand, like two babes
in the wood. 2. in close association: It provides a unique mix
of a professionally educated workforce working hand-in-hand
with volunteers.
armchair general • armchair pilot
armchair general —smb. who speaks critically of military
matters, etc. but has no real experience: You’ve never served
in the military, which confirms my suspicion that you’re just
another armchair general.
armchair pilot—a person whose hobby is computer based
flight simulation: Authentically modeled after the F-
1
6 control
column, this controller is intended for the advanced armchair
pilot.
armed forces • armored forces
armed forces —the military forces of a country including the
army, navy, air force, etc.: Armenia has followed a policy of
developing its armed forces into a professional, well trained
military.
armored forces —armored fighting vehicles such as tanks:
German armored forces aimed to thrust deep into the enemy
rear to sow confusion and disorganization.
around the bend • around the corner
around the bend —(also: round the bend) 
1
. about to happen
very soon: Saint Patrick’s day is around the bend and I need
a partner for the jig contest. 2. (coll.) crazy; insane: Mars is
completely around the bend and not the kind of guy you’d
want your daughter to go on a date with.
around the corner—(also: round the corner) = around the bend
1
: Halloween is just around the corner and candy seems to be
everywhere (and at good prices!).