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

like a clock • like one o’clock
like a clock—(also: like clockwork) in an orderly way; with
regularity and precision: He manages my whole farm like a
clock.
like one o’clock —(coll.) vigorously; eagerly: “Toads are valu-
able animals,” answers Jane. “They eat the snails like one
o’clock.”
like a dream • like in a dream
like a dream —
1
. like smth. imaginary or unreal: How could
a cat appear in my apartment? I looked up, and for a moment
I thought the cat had vanished like a dream. 2. (coll.) said of
smth. that functions exceptionally well: The car goes like a
dream but I should get the belts changed just in case.
like in a dream —(also: as in a dream) 
1
. perceived like some
illusory images seen in a dream: My recollection of that event
is hazy…. It was so unreal. Like in a dream. 2. said of smb.
living out of contact with reality: I have been living like in a
dream until your tenderness and love warmed me.
like a scalded cat • like a singed cat
like a scalded cat—
1
. rushing madly without regard to where
one is going: He leapt over the fence and was down the road-
way like a scalded cat. 2. screaming in a shrill, piercing voice:
But why should you squall like a scalded cat?
like a singed cat— said of smb. who is better than appearance
indicates: His new friend, however, proved to be like a singed
cat, much better than he looked.
Note: 
Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase
like a cat on hot bricks
—
1
. ill at ease; very nervous: He was
like a cat on hot bricks. Scared out of his life as to what she
might say. 2. moving swiftly and nimbly: A well-bred, raking-
looking sort of mare…. Beautiful action she had, stepped away
like a cat on hot bricks.