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

blood bath • blood-tub
blood bath —a wholesale slaughter; a massacre: Even today,
after the unspeakable horror of the blood bath in Hungary,
the betting is still somewhat against a “re–Stalinization.”
blood-tub —(sl.) a theater specializing in the worst forms of
melodrama: Warrilow points out that more than one theatre
in Burslem was affectionately known as the “Blood Tub.”
Bloody Maria • Bloody Mary
Bloody Maria —a drink consisting of a mixture of tequila
and tomato juice: Stir all ingredients well with ice…. For a
Bloody Maria just replace the vodka with tequila.
Bloody Mary —a drink consisting of a mixture of vodka and
tomato juice : A waitress approached the table. “A Virgin
Mary…. A Bloody Mary without the vodka.”
blow great guns • go great guns
blow great guns —(of wind) blow severely: The wind was
blowing great guns but there was only the thinnest sprinkle of
rain.
go great guns —(dated coll.) proceed or perform with great
speed, skill, or success: You will then not only go great guns —
move steadily forward — but also become big shots — impor-
tant personages. Cf.: great guns — persons of distinction or im-
portance: They are great guns in the kitchen, but shrink to
suitable dimensions in the presence of their betters.
blow hot and cold • go hot and cold
blow hot and cold —keep changing one’s attitude towards
smth.: I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot
and cold with the same breath.
go hot and cold —suddenly feel very worried and frightened
about smth.: I used to go hot and cold about it because I knew
what the implications were.
blow it • blow me
blow it—
1
. (sl.) lose or bungle an opportunity, etc.: He’ll
probably blow it. He’s beginning to look old. 2. (interj.) used
as an oath or expletive to express annoyance: Blow it! I just
can’t get this wallpaper straight!