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

permit of something • permit something
permit of something —leave room for smth.: He must go
quickly like a man bent upon urgent business which permits
of no delay.
permit something —allow smth.: If the owner does not per-
mit smoking, people who wish to smoke can decide not to
patronize that restaurant.
person of few words • short-spoken person
person of few words —
1
. smb. who does not speak much:
Others who knew him say he was a person of few words, who
usually spoke only when spoken to. 2. a person of action rather
than words: Rose, also a person of few words, is known for
getting the job done. No excuses, no stories — just do the best
you can.
short-spoken person —
1
. = person of few words 
1
: Another way
to get more information out of a short-spoken person is to
ask “clusters” of questions…. 2. smb. given to speaking in an
abrupt, unfriendly way: He saw no one but the door-keeper,
a short-spoken person who believed that it was part of his
duty to be frowning.
pester someone about something • pester someone
for something
pester someone about something —annoy a person by con-
stantly referring to a specific matter: Mrs. Buster is always
pestering me about which dress to wear, which card to send,
what color pen to use on the card.
pester someone for something —trouble a person by continu-
ally asking for smth.: Inertia selling was the practice by which
companies sent unsolicited goods, then pestered people for
payment if they were not returned.
petty cash • small cash
petty cash —a small fund of money that a firm keeps for inci-
dental expenses: Custodians of petty cash must ensure that
any funds that have been spent will be replenished monthly.
small cash —(usually attrib.) a small sum of money: This
award will be given based on nominations by faculty in the
form of a certificate and a small cash prize.