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

figure in something • figure on something
figure in something —have a part in smth.; play a role in
smth.: The ass has, since the time of the Greeks, figured in
fables as the type of ignorance and stupidity.
figure on something —(coll.) depend on smth.; plan on smth.:
Don’t figure on going abroad this summer, we may not be
able to afford it.
figure someone in • figure someone out
figure someone in —(coll.) add or include a person into one’s
plans, etc. (also: count someone in): Please figure Ann in when
you plan the party.
figure someone out—(also: make someone out) understand a
person’s character: We are stuck with the guy for four years,
so we’ll have plenty of time to figure him out.
figurehead • head figure
figurehead —
1
. a carving, usually a bust or a full-length
figure, decorating the prow of a ship: The adornment of ships
with figureheads could be traced back to Phoenician times. 2.
a person who holds an important office yet has little actual
power: The constitution allots so much power to the board
of governors that the president is often regarded as merely a
figurehead.
head figure —a leading person who guides and directs: It was
not long before Coke, who was now the head figure in Par-
liament, vigorously began an inquiry.
fill in for someone • fill someone in
fill in for someone —carry out the duties of a fellow employee,
absent through sickness, etc.: My partner is on holiday so I’m
filling in for him.
fill someone in —give a person full details about smth.: Can
you fill me in on what has been happening since I left here?
find one’s voice • lose one’s voice
find one’s voice —
1
. (also: find one’s tongue) be able to speak
again after a shock, horror, etc. which has left one speechless:
From his seat in the corner, Dave finally found his voice.
“What happened? And when?” 2. (of a writer, painter, etc.)
become truly creative and develop a style of one’s own: Andy
had found his voice as a composer, of course, but also as a
teacher and as an administrator.
lose one’s voice —be hardly able to speak, especially due to
having a sore throat: After a mild cold earlier this week I was
feeling better but overnight I lost my voice — I could barely
talk at all today.