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

Note:
a) The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the
phrase drop a brick—(sl.) do smth. foolish; say smth. stupid or
indiscreet: It was hinted to me pretty plainly that I had dropped
a brick when I told my brother I didn’t like Mary.
b) The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase
carry the ball
— assume the responsibility (taking the most im-
portant or difficult part in an action): Who will carry the ball?
Who will have responsibility for paying the bills and balancing
the check book?
take up the ball —(also: pick up the ball and run with it) take
one’s turn in smth.: Unfortunately, it’s not likely I’ll be able
to respond at greater length…. But perhaps others will take
up the ball.
dropout • fallout
dropout—
1
. a person who “drops out” from a course of study
or from society: Many dropouts leave school long before their
senior year. The ninth grade year is a particularly difficult year
for students. 2. (attrib.) is used of people who leave a course
of study, membership of a society, etc.: Is there a correlation
between the dropout rate and the amount of money a school
district spends?
fallout—
1
. radioactive dust or particles (created by a nuclear
explosion): Measurements were made on the concentration of
fallout in the atmosphere and in rain water. 2. lasting negative
consequences of an event or situation: Our ability to have as
much sugar as we crave has had serious fallout on the health
of Americans. 3. = dropout 2: Main reasons for this high fallout
rate: financial difficulties, lack of interest, parental resistance
to “useless” further education.
dry blanket • wet blanket
dry blanket—(Austral. sl.)—said of a hot afternoon or day:
It’s like a bloody dry blanket in here today.
wet blanket—(coll.) a person who discourages enthusiasm
or cheerfulness: Jane would spoil the whole thing; she is such
a wet blanket.