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

Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase front runner—a competitor who performs best or is in a
leading position: Until several days ago, she was a front runner
in this week’s Democratic primary.
frontsman —
1
. = front man 
1
: The frontsman at the inquiry
desk is sympathetic and directs us to come back in an hour
to ask the boss. 2. = front man 3: Throughout his career, the
frontsman, composer, and sax player Blicher has been influ -
enced by the great songwriters.
frown at something • frown on something
frown at something —draw the eyebrows together to express
displeasure, etc. when looking at smth.: Then he took one
final glance over my application and frowned at my birth date.
frown on something —show or express disapproval of smth.:
The older generation have always frowned on some of the
ideas of the young.
full stop (UK) • full stop (U.S.)
full stop (UK)—
1
. punctuation mark used at the end of a
sentence : I remember sitting in class, repeating after the
teacher — full stop, capital letter. 2. is used as an interjection
to terminate a phrase with finality and emphasis: In fact, any-
thing nuclear-related scares me, full stop. 3. a complete stop
(as of traffic, etc.): The horse then … made a full stop, and
expressed an unwillingness to proceed any farther.
full stop (U.S.)— = full stop (UK) 3: Despite the lack of any
visible traffic, Sam made a full stop at the intersection and
then turned north.
funny money • serious money
funny money —
1
. counterfeit money: The police warned
storekeepers that some funny money was being passed around
town. 2. money obtained from an illegal or questionable
source: Is he really there to launder some “funny money” with
his partner, Sammy? 3. currency with little value, especially
artificially inflated: Selling by speculators caused the stock
market to correct. The correction encouraged the authorities
to print more funny money.
serious money —(also: serious coin) a considerable sum of
money; a lot of money: She has made some serious money
and was fairly convincing of the idea that I could do the same.