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

water hole • watering hole
water hole —a pond or pool in a dry area: In many locations
in Namibia, one simply waits by a water hole to photograph
the never ending parade of animals.
watering hole —
1
. = water hole: Appoint a place for washing
clothes clear of the watering hole. 2. (joc.) a licensed café or
pub: The restaurant was once a cosmopolitan watering hole
for actors and writers.
water house • watering house
water house —a building in which water is retained in a
reservoir: They have no water but what is forced from a deep
well into a waterhouse, whence they are furnished by pipes.
watering house —(UK hist.) a pub providing water for horses
and refreshments for travelers: Travelers would stop at these
“watering houses” to quench their own and their animals
thirst.
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water house

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way back • way behind
way back —
1
. far from the front part of smth.: I noticed a
faded whiskey box way back under the stairs. 2. in a remote
rural area; far away: Blackall was much the same as any other
township “way back.” 3. a long time ago: We do not know
who first brought Christianity to this country way back in the
days of the Roman Empire.
way behind —far behind smth.: Pet foods come sixth in the
consumer top ten. Baby food lags way behind.
way below something • way down something
way below something —much lower than smth.: By slashing
its retail prices way below cost, Wal-Mart can crush our gro-
ceries, pharmacies, and other retailers.
way down something —at a great distance along the length
of smth.: He saw a headlight of an eastbound train appear
way down the tracks.
way off • way out
way off—
1
. far away: I am going somewhere; but I don’t know
where. Way off, anyhow. 2. quite wrong; greatly mistaken:
My attitude indications on the instrument panel are way off.
way out—
1
. = way off 
1
: After a prolonged journey by bus,
Clarissa alighted way out on the North Circular Road. 2. =
way off 2: I would not presume to argue with Edward on mat-
ters botanical, but he is way out on snakes. 3. (sl.) highly pecu-
liar or unusual (being too modern): This new music is too
way out for me — I prefer what I am already familiar with. 4.
(sl.) heavily alcohol or drug intoxicated: That guy is way out —
can’t even walk.