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

goats’ hair • goats’ wool
goats’ hair —(also: goat’s hair) 
1
. cloth made wholly or partly
of goats’ hair: The Brahuis are a nomadic race, who dwell in
tents made of goats’ hair. 2. long straight streaks of cirrus
cloud (known as a sign of impending storm): It is the cloud
known to seamen as “goats’ hair” or “mares’ tails.”
goats’ wool —(also: goat’s wool) = goats’ hair 
1
: The book de -
scribes the Navajo weaver collecting plants to naturally dye
the goat’s wool.
God-man • man-god
God-man —one who is both human and divine; a god in
human form: Jesus Christ is the living, loving God-man.
man-god —
1
. = God-man: Prometheus, in the eyes of the
Greek, was a man-god. 2. a man who is made a god: The
Christian world was sunk in the worship of men-gods, and
women-gods.
God the Father • godfather
God the Father —(in the Christian tradition) the first person
of the Trinity: All graphical representations of God the Father
are to be disapproved.
godfather —
1
. a male person who presents a child at baptism:
For each male child to be baptized the rubric requires two
godfathers and one godmother. 2. a leader of a criminal organ-
– 153 –
God the Father

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ization: The youngsters are manipulated by a little band of
experienced “godfathers” who make the plans but never risk
their own lives.
godly man • man of God
godly man— a deeply religious person: They were the godly
men; and it was the business of the ruling classes to endow
them with benefices.
man of God —
1
. an ordained priest; a clergyman of the
Christian Church: I don’t expect to hear that kind of language
from a man of God. 2. a holy man; a saint: It was on the tried
friendship of that true man of God that Harold chose to lean.