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

higher school • upper school
higher school —higher education beyond school, especially
to degree level: It is hard to predict an individual’s ability to
master the higher school program.
upper school —a secondary school for children aged from
fourteen upwards: Physical education classes are part of the
upper school weekly schedule.
Note:
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase finishing school— private school preparing upper-class
girls for social life: She attended one term at a Swiss finishing
school after which she ended her formal schooling and
obtained a job.
highly colored • of a high color
highly colored —(also: high colored) 
1
. brightly colored; full
of color: Compounds of this type are highly colored, and are
used as dyes. 2. (of prose) pompous and pretentious: Some
chapters are factual and suitable, but others are couched in
the most highly colored cinematic prose. 3. (of a narrative)
sensationalized or exaggerated: Travelers’ tales are often highly
colored, as you know.
of a high color —(of wine, complexion, etc.) of red or reddish
color: A liquor called Morocco … is of a high color, and is
made from malt and hops.
hire out something • hire something
hire out something —allow the temporary use of smth. in
return for payment: The boat-yard belonged to an old-estab-
lished family firm, who hired out river craft.
hire something —obtain the temporary use of smth. in return
for payment: I have hired a self-drive car, as there seems no
other way of getting about Cyprus.
historic event • historical event
historic event—an event notable or memorable in history:
The meeting between the two great leaders was a historic
event.
historical event—an event pertaining to history as contrasted
with legend or fiction: This battle is a historical event docu-
mented in the archives.