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

either … or • whether … or
either … or —is used to indicate that there is a choice be-
tween two options: The centre is located favorably in terms of
transport facilities and can be reached either by car or by pub-
lic transport.
whether … or —is used to introduce two equal possibilities:
Whether by car or by public transport — due to our central
location there are various possibilities to reach us.
either way • every way
either way —whichever course of action one chooses (out of
two alternatives): We could have the car fixed here or get it
towed home; either way it will be very expensive.
every way —(also: every each way) 
1
. in every direction: I pon-
dered over it, and turned it every way in my mind. 2. in every
manner; in every respect: Her mind was every way equal to
her person.
electric car • electric motor car
electric car —a car that utilizes energy stored in recharge-
able battery packs: Electric cars have major limitations; they
don’t go very fast, and they can’t go far without a battery
charge.
electric motor car —
1
. = electric car: My guess is that, all other
things equal, the electric motor car would pull out ahead of
an internal combustion engine…. 2. a self-propelled electric
railroad vehicle: Several railroads operate electric motor cars
in suburban passenger train service.
embark for something • embark on something
embark for something —start a voyage to a place: I shall stay
in the seaport overnight before embarking for the United
States.
embark on something —(liter.) start smth. new, usually im-
portant or difficult: Mary embarked on her marriage with
many hopes and fears.
embarrassed at something • embarrassed with
something
embarrassed at something —feeling unease or mental discom-
fort about smth.: She’s embarrassed — embarrassed at being
so successful in a profession where so many fail.
embarrassed with something —
1
. hindered in one’s move-
ments or experiencing physical difficulties because of smth.:
Seeing he was embarrassed with his luggage, I offered to help
him. 2. = embarrassed at something: Many kids don’t want to
be embarrassed with being escorted out, even if it’s a friendly
escort.