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

in show • on show
in show —in appearance only: By an unfortunate accident
the actor was stabbed in reality, and not merely in show.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase for show— for the sake of ostentatious demonstration: The
ornaments serve no useful purpose; they are only put there for
show.
on show— being exhibited; on view: Some of her paintings
are on show in the local art gallery.
in so many words • so many words
in so many words —(usually negat.) stated in these exact
words: That the object was to bring Romayne and Stella
together … was as plain to him as if he had heard it confessed
in so many words.
so many words —(of documents, utterances, etc.) nothing more
than mere words: Such a law is just so many words without
continued commitment and oversight by the legislative and
executive branches.
in someone’s arms • in someone’s hands
in someone’s arms —held by a person (lovingly) in both arms:
On the dance floor, Kezia was whirling slowly in the arms of
the Baron.
in someone’s hands —in smb.’s power; under smb.’s control:
She’s going to change the history of the country and the fate
of the people is now in her hands.
in spirit • in spirits
in spirit—inwardly; in one’s mind: Such as I are free in spirit
when our limbs are chained.
in spirits —(also: in high spirits) in a cheerful mood: His time
is pretty much taken up in keeping his relation in spirits.
in the air • up in the air
in the air —
1
. not inside a house or building: We have taken
our last walk in the air and having succeeded in tiring ourselves
feel free to go to bed unashamed. 2. aboard an aircraft; in
flight: After all, Short’s Empire class flying boats fifty years
ago could offer a bed in the air. 3. (of plans, questions, etc.)
still uncertain; remaining undecided: As for other ever chang-
ing events, next year’s plans are still in the air. 4. (also: in the
wind) rumored or suspected but not definitely known: What
changes they will make nobody knows, but there is something
in the air. 5. said of the general mood or atmosphere: There
was a feeling of joy in the air. Men who had never voted before
said that they felt like human beings for the first time in their
lives. 6. (of military position) uncovered or unprotected This
left the French First Army’s flank in the air, forcing it to with-
draw as well.