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

comic actor • comical actor
comic actor —an actor who plays in comedies; a singer of
comic songs: He has no idea who will replace Ritter but said
it should be “a comic actor who is as beloved as John was.”
comical actor —mirth-provoking, funny actor: I did really
like all of the actors in the film, especially Ben Stiller, who
appears to be solidifying his mark as a great comical actor.
comings and goings • entrances and exits
comings and goings —(also: coming and going ) 
1
. arrivals and
departures: Fanny lived her own life, never commenting on
her husband’s whirlwind comings and goings. 2. busy activi-
ties: Along with all the comings and goings of the holidays we
had plenty of time to just hang out and enjoy each other’s
company.
entrances and exits —(of actors) coming upon and leaving the
stage: We are up on stage behind the scenes with the actors
watching them make their entrances and exits.
comment on a match • commentate on a match
comment on a match —make comments or give an opinion
on a sports contest: I can’t justifiably comment on a match I
did not watch.
commentate on a match —act as a sports commentator run-
ning live commentary: I don’t associate women with football,
so hearing one commentate on a match is odd.
common knowledge • general knowledge
common knowledge —said of smth. generally known to most
people: It is common knowledge to most trout-fishers that
the May Fly has decreased over many parts of the country.
general knowledge —basic understanding of a subject or a
variety of subjects: Many of them do not have familiarity with
poetry, not to mention the general knowledge and cultural
literacy.
common man • common woman
common man —
1
. an ordinary man, not distinguished by
rank or position: Mr. Brooks is a common man. He is not a
hero, he is not always fighting against dangerous criminals….
2. said of ordinary people (both men and women) in general:
The common man is portrayed as the helpless victim of op-
portunistic politicians.
common woman —
1
. an ordinary woman, not distinguished
by rank or position: Rosa Parks was a common woman who
had a huge effect on U.S. civil rights movements. 2. (euph.,
dated) a prostitute: She was a common woman when he met
her, and had since become the most drunken creature it was
possible to meet with.