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

good business • pretty business
good business —said of a profitable and rewarding occupa-
godly man
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tion: The new journalism, with its “mammoth combines,” is
good business, but bad democracy.
pretty business —(ironic) said of a miserable state of affairs:
A pretty business indeed for a man to be hemmed up in a
strange place without anything to interest you.
good day • well day
good day —
1
. one’s lucky day; a day favorable for smth.:
Monday was a good day for the mayor because all the major
players from both parties were willing to play along. 2. a day
on which the weather is fine: It was a good day and we had
perfect weather conditions in Cumbria, no rain at all. 3. is
used as a formal phrase at parting: And to marry for money,
I think the wickedest thing in existence. Good day.
well day —a day on which a person is free from sickness,
especially from an attack of an intermittent disorder: As it was
one of his well days, he walked in without help.
good few, a • good many, a
good few, a —a fairly large number: We had a good few
days with Kristen, talking, shopping, and exploring Nash-
ville.
good many, a — = good few, a: They will have to face the
bitterest cold for a good many days during the Polar night.
good for someone • good to someone
good for someone —
1
. beneficial or helpful for a person: These
classes are good for students who work better at a slower pace
or are fairly new to computers. 2. (of food) nutritious or whole-
some for people: Green leafy vegetables are good for you.
They contain important nutrients that keep your children
healthy.
good to someone —said of smb. who is kind to a person and
willing to help: She has been good to me and my family when
we were struggling.