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

joint-stock company • stock company
joint-stock company —a business enterprise with ownership
interests represented by shares of stock: Scott used to say that
the Bannatyne Club was the only successful joint-stock com-
pany he ever invested in.
stock company —a company of actors employed at one the-
ater, or permanently acting together: The stock company sys-
tem provided theatrical training by affording young actors the
chance to play many different roles.
judicial decision • judicious decision
judicial decision —
1
. a decision taken (by a judge) in a court
of law: Besides divorce, marriage can also be declared invalid
by a judicial decision. 2. a decision that is impartial or just:
It does not seem to be denied that there was a judicial decision
as a result of the Adjudicator’s determination.
judicious decision —a decision showing good sense or judg-
ment: This proved to be a judicious decision as it significantly
contributed to our sales growth.
Julian calendar • Julian day calendar
Julian calendar —a calendar introduced in Rome in 46 
B
.
C
.
establishing the twelve-month year: Down to 
1
582 the Julian
calendar continued to be used by all Christian nations.
Julian day calendar —(Astronomy) a system of numbering
days consecutively from the arbitrarily selected point of the
year 47
1
3 
B
.
C
., regardless of the various changes made in civil
calendars: Using the astronomers’ Julian Day calendar as a
common denominator … Latham has solved the conversion
of virtually all (including the Chinese!) the world calendars.
jump at someone • jump on someone
jump at someone —
1
. attack a person from a distance: The
animal jumped at him, he squatted down and the cougar went
over him, not making contact. 2. criticize a person severely:
That same author did try to improve things by incorporating
changes and everyone jumped at him. 3. (also: jump out at
someone) said of smth. very obvious or easy to notice: Only
the precious few had the special kind of talent that just jumps
at you.
jump on someone—
1
. pounce on a person (landing on top
of the person attacked): The Lion jumped up and jumped on
him with all four feet. 2. = jump at someone 2: I’m sorry, Eddy,
I didn’t mean to jump on you that way.