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

be at each other’s throats • cut each other’s
throats
be at each other’s throats —be arguing violently; be very angry
with each other: We cannot deal with tomorrow’s problems if
we are at each other’s throats over economic issues.
cut each other’s throats —harm each other’s interests, espe-
cially because of fierce competition: They are cutting each
other’s throats in their eagerness to finish the work first.
be at loose ends • tie up loose ends
be at loose ends —(also: be at a loose end) 
1
. be without em-
ployment or fixed occupation: He was the only stranger in
Cyprus who was thus at a loose end, as it were, and not on
some professional duty. 2. be in an unsettled or uncertain sit-
uation: He’s at loose ends. Hates his work, loathes his wife,
and the kids bore him to death.
tie up loose ends —deal with some parts of work that have
been left over: She spent the afternoon tying up loose ends:
editing a feature on California Cuisine, making phone calls,
answering memos.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase make both ends meet— live within one’s means: With a
family becoming daily more expensive, the little book-keeper
had found it hard work to make both ends meet.
be at rest • be resting
be at rest—
1
. be in a state of physical or mental repose: He
sat in his chair, still, but not at rest: expectant evidently. 2.
(of an issue) be settled or decided: I never can take any office
under the present rulers; so that question is at rest. 3. (euph.)
be dead and buried: He is now at rest after a full and dedicated
life. We salute his extraordinary legacy…
be resting —
1
. (euph., coll.) be out of work: I am an inter-
preter…. At present I am resting. 2. (of the body of a dead per-
son) remain at an undertaker’s, a chapel, etc. before burial:
Remains will be resting at the John Doe Funeral Home.