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

if only • only if
if only —
1
. is used to express a strong desire or hope that
was not fulfilled: If only I knew at the time that she would be
famous one day! 2. even though (is used to introduce the clause
of concession): This may mean going on a trip, if only for a day
or two, or an extended vacation of several weeks.
only if —not at all unless: A Commonwealth citizen or other
foreign nationals can apply but only if they are resident in the
UK.
if you fly with the crows, you get shot with the
crows • if you lie down with dogs, you will get up
with fleas
if you fly with the crows, you get shot with the crows —(Proverb)
if you wish to benefit from a high risk situation, you have to
accept the consequences if things go wrong: The individual
must demonstrate that he accepted a certain degree of respon-
sibility, even if he feels that he is personally blameless. To put
it crudely: If you fly with the crows, you get shot with the
crows.
if you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas —(Proverb)
if you become involved with bad company, there will be neg-
ative consequences: “If you lie down with dogs, you will get
up with fleas.” With those words in mind, I have always cho-
sen my real friends wisely.
impatient of something • impatient with
 something
impatient of something —unable to endure smth.; unwilling
to submit to smth.: His early orphanage was not without its
– 183 –
impatient of something

---

effect in confirming a character naturally impatient of con-
trol.
impatient with something —easily provoked or irritated when
dealing with smth.: This book is for you if you get impatient
with heavy, conventional and lengthy textbooks.