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

fast one • quick one
fast one —(sl.) a clever and unexpected trick giving the per-
son unfair advantage (usually in the phrase “pull a fast one”):
The thought that a girl capable of thinking up a fast one like
that should be throwing herself away on Eggleston was
infinitely saddening.
quick one —(sl.) 
1
. a quick drink of liquor or a beer con-
sumed rapidly: We’ve time for a quick one and then we’ll go
and do our bit of business. 2. a brief and brisk sex act: I’m
not saying that an unexpected quick one can’t be fantastic. …
If you’re working a lot you’ll probably need to schedule in
time for sex.
fatal accident • fateful accident
fatal accident—an unfortunate event that results in death:
Violations of mandatory mine safety laws led to the fatal acci-
dent taking the lives of five miners.
fateful accident—an event that may have catastrophic con-
sequences, yet not necessarily result in death: Not long after
the fateful accident that left him dishonorably discharged, he
lost his wife.
father of the chapel • father-in-church
father of the chapel —(UK publishing and printing industries)
a shop steward representing union members in negotiations,
etc.: My grandfather was father of the chapel at one of the big
newspapers.
father-in-church —the relative or friend who “gives away” a
bride : “I shall want you to stand father-in-church to this
young lady,” said Geoffrey to the clerk.
Father of the House, the • house father
Father of the House, the —(UK) the oldest member of Par-
liament (with reference to duration of membership): The most
important duty of the Father of the House is to preside over
the election of a new speaker.
house father— a man looking after a group of children in an
institution: There were in these places no “house-fathers” for
the girls, though there were “house-mothers” for both girls
and boys.