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

ragged blue line • thin blue line
ragged blue line —(U.S.) the Union forces (who wore blue
uniforms) in the American Civil war: A ragged blue line of
four infantry regiments on line and one in reserve moved
across the open valley.
thin blue line —(UK) the police; the protective power of the
law: You’ve heard about the thin blue line that protects prop-
erty and the owners of property.
See also: all-red line / thin red line.
rail car • railroad car
rail car —a self-propelled railroad vehicle designed to trans-
port passengers: Railcars are often used on minor railway lines
where passenger traffic is sparse.
railroad car —a coach for passengers on a train: Persons who
drink at a bar, ride in a railroad car, or visit the theater without
charge, are called dead heads.
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rail car

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rain day • rainy day
rain day —(Meteorolog y) a day on which the recorded rainfall
is not less than 0.0
1
inch: In July the average number of rain
days is only four per month.
rainy day —
1
. a day having much rain: West Mediterranean
islands have cooled off and can have rainy days, but walking
is still pleasant. 2. (in the phrase “for a rainy day”) for a time
of special need in the future: We all need money set aside for
a rainy day.
raise dust • raise the dust
raise dust—cause a cloud of dust to rise: The galloping horse
raised dust out of the dried mud in the gateway to the wood.
raise the dust—
1
. = raise dust: Whirlwinds raised the dust to
a great height and moved over the plain like water spouts at
sea. 2. (also: make a dust) cause turmoil; act in a noisy manner:
But who raised the dust? It seems inconceivable that it was
anyone on the editorial staff.