Idioms

instead of

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instead of (something)

As an alternative to something; in place of something. Can I have chicken instead of fish? Mom is going to be furious when she finds out that you snuck out to be with your friends instead of doing your homework. I can't believe you gambled the money away instead of paying the rent like you said you would!
See also: instead, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

instead of

Also, in lieu of; in place of; in someone's stead. In substitution for, rather than. For example, She wore a dress instead of slacks, or They had a soprano in lieu of a tenor, or In place of soft drinks they served fruit juice, or The chairman spoke in her stead. Instead of dates from about 1200; in lieu of, which borrows lieu, meaning "place," from French, dates from the late 1200s; in place of dates from the 1500s; and in someone's stead from the 1200s. Also see under in someone's shoes.
See also: instead, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
For users in the sixth segment consuming from 651 to 1000 kWh, the price will be EGP 1.4 instead of EGP 1.35 for 1 kWh.
Further, vitamin and mineral supplement was being sold for as high as Rs850 instead of Rs550 while mesterolone 250 milligrammes was available for Rs586 instead of its approved price of Rs247.
Squirting bleach down the toilet instead of cleaning it
WHY: It would be very tempting to shower yourself with chocolates and truffles, but instead of that plan fun stuff like movies with friends, or buy a workout gear for yourself.
3 Maple syrup instead of sugar ALTHOUGH all sugars are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation, if you must use a sweetening product, pure maple syrup is a healthier option than refined sugars.
Wouldn't it have been really something To have been a gladiator in ancient Rome instead of being stuck in a call centre Having to talk to irate people on the phone ?
After his own translation of each Psalm, Goldingay gives a short introduction to the Psalm as a whole, and then "interpretation" (verse by verse exegesis) and "theological implications." A 13-page glossary explains some of his translation choices, e.g., fail or failure instead of sin; faithful instead of righteous; ignore instead of forget; person instead of soul; rise instead of Selah; well-being instead of peace; and worship instead of bless when Yahweh is the object.
AMR's 2008 net loss now is $2.12 billion instead of $2.07 billion as previously reported, while its 2007 net income is $456 million instead of $504 million.
Out of all of the countries in Annex 1, 16 countries have reached and some even exceeded the objectives set by the protocol including, for the EU, France (-4% instead of 0%) and the UK (-15.9% instead of -12.5%) as well as nine new member states.
So, when blood rich with carbon dioxide goes to the stomach instead of the lungs, it can aid digestion.
"Focus on those things you can get the biggest bang for the change," he says, like cutting out soda and other sweetened beverages; eating out once a month instead of five times; going for a walk or bike ride three nights after dinner instead of plopping down in front of the TV.
Instead, I am a slave-driver, impatient and hurried, wondering why I can't manage to get this music up to tempo or that essay formed correctly, instead of accepting that maybe things are progressing exactly as they should.
They use a new electric lift and transfer instead of the older pneumatic system.
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