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

disconnected from something • disconnected with
something
disconnected from something —physically separated from
smth.; not joined to smth.: Make sure the television is dis-
connected from the mains supply before you open up the back.
disconnected with something —having no relationship with
smth.: The accident rate seems to be disconnected with the
road conditions and weather.
dispense something • dispense with something
dispense something —
1
. deal out or distribute smth.: Young
– 97 –
dispense something

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ladies have been dispensing tea to hungry comrades. 2. prepare
and give out medicine: The firm has been dispensing oint-
ments and lotions for generations.
dispense with something —
1
. do without smth.; manage in
spite of not having smth.: He is not yet well enough to dis-
pense with the doctor’s services. 2. render smth. unnecessary:
The new machinery dispenses with hand labor.
dispute about something • dispute something
dispute about something —argue about smth: There is no
time to dispute about the forms of education.
dispute something —
1
. question the truth or validity of smth.:
We never disputed his right to build a home on land he had
purchased. 2. contest smth.; fight for smth.: Our team dis-
puted the victory until the last minute of the game.
distinguished by something • distinguished for
something
distinguished by something —marked or characterized by
some quality: The army is divided into eight divisions, dis-
tinguished by the color of their respective flag.
distinguished for something —remarkable for some (usually
superior) quality, attainment, etc.: John Augustus Walker, an
Alabama artist, was distinguished for his paintings and mu-
rals.