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

in fits • in fits and starts
in fits —
1
. (also: in fits of nerves) shocked or very angry: I
was in fits because I didn’t know if Shawn had been trying to
contact us or not. 2. (also: in fits of laughter) laughing uncon-
trollably: As he walked in dressed like a headache tablet, every-
one was in fits.
in fits and starts —(also: by fits and starts) at irregular inter-
in deep water
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vals: There is no way of coping with orders that come in fits
and starts throughout the year.
in flesh • in the flesh
in flesh —(dated) corpulent; well-fed: The widow, being a
little in flesh, as warmly protested against walking.
in the flesh —(also: in flesh and blood) in person (of smb. actu-
ally present): The minutes passing on, and no Mrs. White in
the flesh appearing.
in flight • on the fly
in flight—
1
. while flying : Gliders are now fitted with a
means of cleaning off the leading edges of the wings in flight.
2. running away; fleeing: The two men are hiding in a hotel
apparently in flight from the police.
on the fly—
1
. = in flight 
1
: Peregrine falcons are predators
and their prey consists mainly of birds, caught on the fly. 2.
in motion; moving fast: She is constantly on the fly as she
directs, plays piano or walks through the rows of children. 3.
do smth. quickly or in passing (while busy with other things):
Changes must be made on the fly, as the program progresses.
4. (sl.) having a lively, merry time; on the spree: My father
had been on the fly in that town for nine or ten days.
in force • in strength
in force —
1
. (of laws, statutes, etc.) operative or binding at
the time: In the south this ancient custom still remains in
force. 2. in large numbers: The enemy was in force, the reg-
iment came under heavy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire.
3. in full command of one’s energies or abilities: Latterly Cal -
vert was better, and able to go with us. He was in force again…
in strength —
1
. having great military power: Bonaparte was
yet in strength to make face against the united armies of the
remainder of Europe. 2. = in force 2: The civilian population
used to turn out in strength every evening to watch our guard
mounting parade. 3. in number: The refugee camp has grown
to 600 in strength with many people being treated by the team
medics for various illnesses.