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

search for someone • search someone
search for someone —try very hard to find a person: Family
members began searching for the boy and found him in the
vehicle, police said.
search someone —examine smb. to make certain whether any
article (stolen or prohibited) is concealed in his clothing: A
power is given to officers to search persons suspected of con-
cealing prohibited goods.
seasonable clothing • seasonal clothing
seasonable clothing —clothing that is appropriate or suitable
for the season: Each resident possesses adequate, clean, well-
fitting, and seasonable clothing and has a safe place to keep
it.
seasonal clothing —clothing pertaining to a particular season:
It is preferred that only seasonal clothing be stored in the res-
ident’s wardrobe and that out of season clothing be stored
elsewhere.
seating room • sitting room
seating room —(of a canteen, chapel, etc.) seating capacity;
places where people can sit: We have seating room for thirty
pupils in this classroom.
sitting room —a room in which members of a family com-
monly sit: A feature of modern living rooms is the room di -
vider, screening the dining area from the main sitting room.
second time, a • second time, the
second time, a —another time; once more: I rang the bell,
but nobody answered it, so I had to ring a second time.
second time, the —the second occasion: I had to retake my
exam and passed with flying colors. It’s always easier the sec-
ond time.
see how the cat jumps • that cat won’t jump
see how the cat jumps —(also: see which way the cat jumps)
see what direction events are taking: Had I time, I believe I
would come to London merely to see how the cat jumped.
that cat won’t jump—(also: that cock won’t fight) that argu-
ment is doubtful; that idea isn’t going to work: “They talk of
suicide here,” he said at last. “That cat won’t jump.”