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

be in a flutter • have a flutter
be in a flutter —
1
. (also: be all of a flutter) be in a very nerv-
ous, confused, or excited state: The concert is coming soon.
I’m in a flutter. 2. (of a room, etc.) be in a disordered or untidy
state: Let me never see this room in a flutter again.
have a flutter —(coll.) gamble on a small scale: The oppor-
tunities of the share market were open…. Men and youths,
women and maidens, all could have a “flutter.”
be in a war • be in the wars
be in a war —
1
. (of a nation) be in the state of war (also: be
at war): We are now in a war to the death with the German
Empire. 2. participate in a military campaign: They are on
the point of putting up a war memorial, though none of the
people who were in the war want it.
be in the wars —(Perfect Tense) 
1
. show signs of rough treat-
ment or injury as a result of fighting, etc.: The boy looks as if
he has been in the wars. 2. be in bad shape, having had a lot
of misfortunes: Terry’s been in the wars a bit since his racing
career ended — his wife left him and he became an alcoholic.
be in bad taste • taste bad
be in bad taste —(of a joke, picture, etc.) be slightly indecent
or distasteful: I can’t for the life of me understand what is in
bad taste about it. It is a photo of something that took place.
taste bad —(usually of food)—have an unpleasant taste: That
is not to say that instant coffee tastes bad, it’s not Starbucks
of course, but it also doesn’t cost five bucks.
be in deep waters • do a deep dive
be in deep waters —(also: be in deep water) be in trouble or
serious financial difficulties: Spence inspected the books and
realised the mining company was in deep waters with the
falling copper prices.