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

say a lot about something • say a lot for something
say a lot about something —(also: tell a lot about something )
be very significant or revealing about smth.: This says a lot
about our society and the direction in which we are moving.
say a lot for something— give ample proof in favor of smth.;
be strong evidence of smth.: Sprucing up the place of business
with newly-cleaned carpeting, for example, will say a lot for
the health of a company.
say something in confidence • say something with
confidence
say something in confidence —tell smth. on the understanding
that the information is not to be disclosed: McSorley should
Saint Anthony’s fire
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not even have written down what was said in confidence by
Kennedy.
say something with confidence —say smth. assuredly and with
conviction: No one can say with confidence now what the
outcome will be.
Scarlet Woman, the • scarlet woman
Scarlet Woman, the —(derog.) the Roman Catholic Church
(also: Scarlet Lady, the): The latter old lady [the Church of
Rome] may be the Scarlet Woman, or the Beast with ten
horns, if you will.
scarlet woman —(pejor., dated) a prostitute; a whore : I
sought out a scarlet woman in the streets and went home with
her.
school board • school council
school board —
1
. (UK hist.) local education authority respon-
sible for the maintenance of public elementary schools: The
school board may pay the whole or any part of the school fees
payable by any child. 2. (U.S., Canada) a board charged with
the provision and maintenance of schools: The school board
which recently submitted its estimates for the year to the city
council will have to revise them.
school council —a committee of pupils elected to manage
school affairs: Murray, a boy who was well-liked but who
shone at nothing, was proud of his status as a member of the
school council.