between
bɪˈtwiːn
Why "between two and four" and "between you and me" are one gap
The picture One thing on the left, one on the right, and something sitting snugly in the narrow gap they make. AMONG mixes you into a crowd; BETWEEN wedges you into the gap made by two ends.
Where the picture shows up in between
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the gap between two places
The pharmacy is between the bank and the bakery.
ðə ˈfɑːrməsi ɪz bɪˈtwiːn ðə bæŋk ənd ðə ˈbeɪkəri
The pharmacy sits between the bank and the bakery.
A pharmacy sign wedged in the slot two buildings leave open.
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the gap between two times
Please call me between two and four.
pliːz kɔːl miː bɪˈtwiːn tuː ənd fɔːr
Give me a call any time from two till four.
The band of clock face between two hand positions, shaded in.
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the gap between two people
This stays between you and me.
ðɪs steɪz bɪˈtwiːn juː ənd miː
Let's keep this to the two of us.
A sentence trapped in the narrow space between two people, unable to get out.
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reaching into the gap to pick
You can choose between tea and coffee.
juː kən tʃuːz bɪˈtwiːn tiː ənd ˈkɔːfi
You can have either tea or coffee.
A hand coming into the gap between two cups and lifting one.
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the gap that compares
What is the difference between these two plans?
wʌt ɪz ðə ˈdɪfrəns bɪˈtwiːn ðiːz tuː plænz
How do these two plans differ?
Two sheets side by side with a line drawn in the space between them.
All of it in one picture
BETWEEN is one gap held open by two ends. Make the ends two shops and the gap is where the pharmacy stands; make them two clock times and the gap is when you may call; make them two people and a sentence trapped in the gap becomes a secret; make them tea and coffee and a hand reaches into the gap for one; make them two plans and the line drawn in the gap is the difference. Wherever between appears, you see the two ends first and the space between them is the point.