Idioms beginning with B

Idioms beginning with B

English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Idioms beginning with B with Meaning and Example

Here’s a list of “Idioms beginning with B” in English:

Back to the drawing board: Restarting a failed plan.

• Example: “The project failed, so it’s back to the drawing board.”

Ball is in your court: It’s your decision to make.

• Example: “I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.”

Barking up the wrong tree: Pursuing the wrong course.

• Example: “If you think I’m to blame, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Be all ears: To listen attentively.

• Example: “I’m all ears, tell me what happened.”

Beat around the bush: Avoiding the main topic.

• Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.”

Bend over backwards: Make an effort to help.

• Example: “She bent over backwards to make sure we were comfortable.”

Between a rock and a hard place: Facing two difficult options.

• Example: “I’m between a rock and a hard place with this decision.”

Bite off more than you can chew: Taking on too much.

• Example: “I bit off more than I could chew with this project.”

Bite the bullet: To face a painful situation bravely.

• Example: “I’ll just have to bite the bullet and finish the work.”

Bite the dust: To fail or die.

• Example: “The old car finally bit the dust.”

Bite your tongue: To stop yourself from saying something.

• Example: “I had to bite my tongue to avoid an argument.”

Blood, sweat, and tears: Hard work and effort.

• Example: “This success took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.”

Blow off steam: To release pent-up emotions.

• Example: “He goes for a run to blow off steam after work.”

Break a leg: Good luck.

• Example: “Break a leg at your performance tonight!”

Break the ice: To initiate conversation in a social setting.

• Example: “He told a joke to break the ice.”

Burn bridges: Destroy relationships or connections.

• Example: “Don’t burn bridges with former employers.”

Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night.

• Example: “She’s been burning the midnight oil to finish her thesis.”

Butterflies in your stomach: Nervousness.

• Example: “I always get butterflies in my stomach before a speech.”

By the book: To do something according to the rules.

• Example: “The manager runs the company strictly by the book.”

Backhanded compliment: A remark that seems like praise but is actually an insult.

• Example: “Saying she’s pretty for her age was a backhanded compliment.”

Bad apple: A troublemaker.

• Example: “One bad apple can spoil the whole team.”

Bag of tricks: A collection of special techniques or methods.

• Example: “The magician has a bag of tricks up his sleeve.”

Baker’s dozen: Thirteen of something.

• Example: “A baker’s dozen of donuts, please.”

Bark is worse than your bite: Someone’s words are harsher than their actions.

• Example: “Don’t worry about the boss, his bark is worse than his bite.”

Beat a dead horse: To waste effort on something that has no chance of succeeding.

• Example: “Trying to change his mind is like beating a dead horse.”

Beat the clock: To finish something before a deadline.

• Example: “We managed to beat the clock and submit the project early.”

Behind the eight ball: In a difficult situation.

• Example: “With so many assignments, I’m behind the eight ball.”

Best of both worlds: A situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two very different things at the same time.

• Example: “Working from home gives me the best of both worlds.”

Bet your bottom dollar: To be very sure of something.

• Example: “You can bet your bottom dollar he’ll be late.”

Better late than never: It’s better to do something late than not at all.

• Example: “He finally apologized—better late than never.”

Better safe than sorry: It’s better to be cautious than to regret later.

• Example: “Bring an umbrella—better safe than sorry.”

Between the lines: To understand something not explicitly stated.

• Example: “Reading between the lines, I think he’s not happy.”

Big fish in a small pond: Someone important in a limited area.

• Example: “He’s a big fish in a small pond at his local club.”

Birds of a feather flock together: Similar people tend to associate with each other.

• Example: “They’ve always been close—birds of a feather flock together.”

Bite the hand that feeds you: To turn against someone who has helped you.

• Example: “He bit the hand that fed him by suing his boss.”

Blessing in disguise: A good thing that seemed bad at first.

• Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.”

Blind leading the blind: Someone unqualified trying to guide others.

• Example: “It’s the blind leading the blind with their new manager.”

Blow your own trumpet: To boast about oneself.

• Example: “He’s always blowing his own trumpet.”

Blue in the face: To be very angry or upset.

• Example: “He argued until he was blue in the face.”

Bottom line: The most important fact.

• Example: “The bottom line is that we need more funds.”

Break the bank: To use up all of one’s money.

• Example: “The new car won’t break the bank.”

Bring down the house: To receive an enthusiastic response from the audience.

• Example: “The comedian’s performance brought down the house.”

Bring home the bacon: To earn a living.

• Example: “She’s the one who brings home the bacon.”

Bull in a china shop: A clumsy person in a delicate situation.

• Example: “He’s like a bull in a china shop at social events.”

Bundle of nerves: Very nervous.

• Example: “She was a bundle of nerves before the exam.”

Burn the candle at both ends: To overwork oneself.

• Example: “He’s burning the candle at both ends with two jobs.”

Bury the hatchet: To make peace.

• Example: “Let’s bury the hatchet and be friends again.”

Busy as a bee: Very busy.

• Example: “She’s as busy as a bee with all her activities.”

By a hair: By a very small margin.

• Example: “We won the game by a hair.”

Back to square one: Starting over from the beginning.

• Example: “We have to go back to square one with this project.”

Backseat driver: A person who gives unsolicited advice.

• Example: “I can’t stand backseat drivers when I’m at the wheel.”

Bad egg: A dishonest or unreliable person.

• Example: “Watch out for him, he’s a bad egg.”

Ballpark figure: A rough estimate.

• Example: “Can you give me a ballpark figure for the costs?”

Banana republic: A politically unstable country with an economy dependent on a single export.

• Example: “The country turned into a banana republic.”

Bare your soul: To reveal one’s innermost thoughts and feelings.

• Example: “She bared her soul to her best friend.”

Barking dogs seldom bite: Those who make loud threats rarely act on them.

• Example: “Ignore his threats; barking dogs seldom bite.”

Batten down the hatches: To prepare for trouble.

• Example: “The team battened down the hatches for the tough game.”

Be a fly on the wall: To secretly listen to a conversation.

• Example: “I’d love to be a fly on the wall in that meeting.”

Be in the driver’s seat: To be in control of a situation.

• Example: “With the promotion, she’s now in the driver’s seat.”

Beat one’s brains out: To exert oneself mentally.

• Example: “I had to beat my brains out to solve that puzzle.”

Beat someone to the punch: To act before someone else.

• Example: “He beat me to the punch and asked her out first.”

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: What one person finds beautiful, another may not.

• Example: “Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Behind closed doors: In private.

• Example: “The decision was made behind closed doors.”

Believe it or not: Surprising but true.

• Example: “Believe it or not, he won the lottery.”

Belly up: Failed or gone bankrupt.

• Example: “The company went belly up last year.”

Best foot forward: To try one’s best.

• Example: “Put your best foot forward in the interview.”

Better half: Spouse or significant other.

• Example: “I’ll ask my better half if we’re free that day.”

Beyond the pale: Unacceptable.

• Example: “His behavior was beyond the pale.”

Big cheese: An important person.

• Example: “He’s the big cheese in the company.”

Big deal: Something significant.

• Example: “Winning the award was a big deal for her.”

Big picture: The overall view.

• Example: “Look at the big picture before making a decision.”

Bird’s eye view: A general view from above.

• Example: “The map gives a bird’s eye view of the city.”

Bite your lip: To refrain from speaking.

• Example: “I had to bite my lip to avoid arguing.”

Bits and pieces: Small parts.

• Example: “She picked up the bits and pieces of her broken vase.”

Black and blue: Bruised.

• Example: “He was black and blue after the fall.”

Black sheep: A disreputable member of a group.

• Example: “He’s the black sheep of the family.”

Blow hot and cold: To change one’s opinion frequently.

• Example: “He blows hot and cold about moving abroad.”

Blue blood: Nobility.

• Example: “She comes from a blue-blooded family.”

Boil the ocean: To undertake an impossible task.

• Example: “Creating a perfect system is like trying to boil the ocean.”

Bolt from the blue: A sudden and unexpected event.

• Example: “The news came as a bolt from the blue.”

Bone to pick: A grievance to discuss.

• Example: “I have a bone to pick with you about the chores.”

Bottom of the barrel: The least desirable part.

• Example: “We had to choose from the bottom of the barrel.”

Brass tacks: The essential facts.

• Example: “Let’s get down to brass tacks.”

Break the mold: To do something differently.

• Example: “She broke the mold by starting her own business.”

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed: Full of energy.

• Example: “She arrived at work bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.”

Broken record: Repeating the same thing.

• Example: “He sounds like a broken record about his achievements.”

Brush up on: To improve one’s knowledge of something.

• Example: “I need to brush up on my Spanish before the trip.”

Buckle down: To start working seriously.

• Example: “It’s time to buckle down and finish this project.”

Bull’s-eye: A direct hit.

• Example: “Her comment was a bull’s-eye.”

Bump in the road: A minor problem.

• Example: “We hit a bump in the road with the planning.”

Bury your head in the sand: To ignore a problem.

• Example: “You can’t just bury your head in the sand.”

Butter someone up: To flatter someone for favor.

• Example: “He’s always buttering up the boss.”

By hook or by crook: By any means necessary.

• Example: “We’ll finish the project by hook or by crook.”

By the skin of your teeth: Just barely.

• Example: “He escaped by the skin of his teeth.”

Back on your feet: To recover.

• Example: “After the illness, he’s back on his feet.”

Ball and chain: Something that restricts freedom.

• Example: “He referred to his job as a ball and chain.”

Bank on it: To rely on something.

• Example: “You can bank on his support.”

Bare minimum: The least possible.

• Example: “He did the bare minimum to pass.”

Be a good sport: To accept a situation gracefully.

• Example: “Thanks for being a good sport about the loss.”

Beggars can’t be choosers: Those in need must take what is offered.

• – Example: “Take the job; beggars can’t be choosers.”

• Behind the scenes: In secret or private.
  • Example: “A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes.”

• Better than ever: Improved more than before.
  • Example: “The new version of the app is better than ever.”

• Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Facing two undesirable choices.
  • Example: “She was between the devil and the deep blue sea, choosing between a job she hates and unemployment.”

• Blow your mind: To astonish or impress greatly.
  • Example: “The special effects in the movie will blow your mind.”

• Babe in arms: A very young child.
  • Example: “She carried her babe in arms as she walked through the park.”

• Babe in the woods: An innocent or naive person.
  • Example: “He’s a babe in the woods when it comes to business negotiations.”

• Babe magnet: Someone who attracts women easily.
  • Example: “With his charm and looks, he’s a real babe magnet.”

• Baby blues: Sadness or depression after childbirth.
  • Example: “She experienced the baby blues for a few weeks after giving birth.”

• Baby boomer: A person born during the baby boom period (1946-1964).
  • Example: “Many baby boomers are now entering retirement.”

• Babysitter test: A measure of how easy technology is to use.
  • Example: “The app passed the babysitter test; even my grandma can use it.”

• Back and forth: Moving repeatedly between two points.
  • Example: “The argument went back and forth for hours.”

• Back at you: The same to you.
  • Example: “Happy holidays! Back at you!”

• Back burner (on the): To delay or postpone something.
  • Example: “We’ll have to put that project on the back burner for now.”

• Back forty: A remote or undeveloped area.
  • Example: “They lived on the back forty, far from the city.”

• Back in the day: In the past.
  • Example: “Back in the day, we didn’t have smartphones.”

• Back of beyond: A remote or distant place.
  • Example: “Their cabin is in the back of beyond.”

• Back office: Administrative or support services.
  • Example: “She works in the back office, handling all the paperwork.”

• Back on one’s feet: To recover from illness or trouble.
  • Example: “After the accident, it took him months to get back on his feet.”

• Back to square one: Starting over from the beginning.
  • Example: “The negotiations failed, and we’re back to square one.”

• Back to the drawing board: Restarting a failed plan.
  • Example: “The project failed, so it’s back to the drawing board.”

• Back to the salt mine(s): Returning to work, especially a difficult or boring job.
  • Example: “Vacation’s over, time to go back to the salt mine.”

• Back the wrong horse: To support a losing side.
  • Example: “He backed the wrong horse in the election.”

• Backing and filling: Indecisive behavior.
  • Example: “His backing and filling made the decision process longer.”

• Backseat driver: A person who gives unsolicited advice.
  • Example: “I can’t stand backseat drivers when I’m at the wheel.”

• Bad apple: A troublemaker.
  • Example: “One bad apple can spoil the whole team.”

• Bad blood: Negative feelings or resentment.
  • Example: “There’s bad blood between the two families.”

• Bad egg: A dishonest or unreliable person.
  • Example: “Watch out for him, he’s a bad egg.”

• Bad taste in one’s mouth: An unpleasant memory or feeling.
  • Example: “The argument left a bad taste in my mouth.”

• Bag of tricks: A collection of special techniques or methods.
  • Example: “The magician has a bag of tricks up his sleeve.”

• Bail out: To abandon a situation.
  • Example: “When the going got tough, he bailed out.”

• Ball and chain: Something that restricts freedom.
  • Example: “He referred to his job as a ball and chain.”

• Ballpark figure: A rough estimate.
  • Example: “Can you give me a ballpark figure for the costs?”

• Banner year: A particularly successful year.
  • Example: “It’s been a banner year for the company.”

• Bang for your buck: Value for money.
  • Example: “This deal gives you the best bang for your buck.”

• Bang one’s head against the wall: To waste effort on something.
  • Example: “Trying to change his mind is like banging your head against the wall.”

• Baptism by fire: A difficult introduction to something.
  • Example: “His first day on the job was a baptism by fire.”

• Bar fly (or barfly): A person who spends a lot of time in bars.
  • Example: “He’s known as the local barfly.”

• Bare one’s heart (soul): To reveal one’s innermost thoughts and feelings.
  • Example: “She bared her soul to her best friend.”

• Bark up the wrong tree: Pursuing the wrong course.
  • Example: “If you think I’m to blame, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

• Basket case: Someone who is mentally unstable.
  • Example: “After the breakup, he was a real basket case.”

• Bat/play for both teams: To be bisexual.
  • Example: “He plays for both teams.”

• Bat/play for the other team: To be homosexual.
  • Example: “She plays for the other team.”

• Batten down the hatches: To prepare for trouble.
  • Example: “The team battened down the hatches for the tough game.”

• Be a barrel of laughs: To be very funny.
  • Example: “He’s always a barrel of laughs at parties.”

• Be a cold day in hell: Something that will never happen.
  • Example: “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I apologize to him.”

• Be an item: To be in a romantic relationship.
  • Example: “Are they really an item?”

• Be footloose and fancy-free: To be free of responsibilities.
  • Example: “Since retiring, he’s been footloose and fancy-free.”

• Be head over heels (in love): To be very much in love.
  • Example: “He’s head over heels in love with her.”

• Be in seventh heaven: To be extremely happy.
  • Example: “She was in seventh heaven after getting the job.”

• Be in two minds (about something): To be undecided.
  • Example: “I’m in two minds about accepting the offer.”

• Be like chalk and cheese: To be completely different.
  • Example: “They’re like chalk and cheese; they’ll never agree.”

• Be lovey-dovey: To show affection in public.
  • Example: “They’re always so lovey-dovey.”

• Be on the mend: To be recovering.
  • Example: “He’s been on the mend since his surgery.”

• Be snowed under: To have too much work.
  • Example: “I’m snowed under with paperwork.”

• Bean counters: Accountants or financial officers.
  • Example: “The bean counters are scrutinizing the budget.”

• Beat around the bush: Avoiding the main topic.
  • Example: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.”

• Beat someone to the draw: To act before someone else.
  • Example: “He beat me to the draw and asked her out first.”

• Beat someone to the punch: To act before someone else.
  • Example: “She beat me to the punch with her idea.”

• Beat the drum for (something): To advocate strongly for something.
  • Example: “He’s always beating the drum for environmental causes.”

• Beauty is only skin deep: Physical beauty is superficial.
  • Example: “He may not be handsome, but beauty is only skin deep.”

• Bed of roses: An easy or pleasant situation.
  • Example: “Marriage is not always a bed of roses.”

• Bedroom eyes: Seductive eyes.
  • Example: “He has those bedroom eyes that make women swoon.”

• Bee in one’s bonnet: An obsession or preoccupation.
  • Example: “She has a bee in her bonnet about clean eating.”

• Beggar thy neighbor: A policy that helps one country at the expense of others.
  • Example: “Their trade policy is a classic example of beggar thy neighbor.”

• Behind the eight (or 8) ball: In a difficult situation.
  • Example: “With the deadline approaching, we’re behind the eight ball.”

• Behind the times: Old-fashioned.
  • Example: “His ideas are behind the times.”

• Bell the cat: To undertake a risky task.
  • Example: “Someone has to bell the cat and tell him the truth.”

• Bells and whistles: Extra features.
  • Example: “The new car model comes with all the bells and whistles.”

• Belly laugh: A loud, hearty laugh.
  • Example: “The comedy show gave us all a good belly laugh.”

• Bend an elbow: To have a drink.
  • Example: “Let’s bend an elbow at the pub tonight.”

• Best (greatest) thing since sliced bread: An excellent new invention or development.
  • Example: “This new phone is the best thing since sliced bread.”

• Best of both worlds: All the advantages.
  • Example: “Living in the suburbs gives us the best of both worlds.”

• Bet one’s bottom dollar (on something): To be very sure of something.
  • Example: “I’d bet my bottom dollar he’ll be late.”

• Bet the farm: To risk everything.
  • Example: “He bet the farm on his new business idea.”

• Better late than never: It’s better to do something late than not at all.
  • Example: “He finally apologized; better late than never.”

• Between a rock and a hard place: Facing two difficult choices.
  • Example: “She was between a rock and a hard place, deciding between career and family.”

• Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Facing two difficult choices.
  • Example: “Choosing between his job and his health put him between the devil and the deep blue sea.”

• Beyond the pale: Unacceptable or improper.
  • Example: “His behavior at the party was beyond the pale.”

• Beyond the shadow of a doubt: Absolutely certain.
  • Example: “She is guilty beyond the shadow of a doubt.”

• Big Apple: A nickname for New York City.
  • Example: “I’m planning a trip to the Big Apple next summer.”

• Big Brother: Government surveillance or control.
  • Example: “Some worry that social media companies are becoming like Big Brother.”

• Big cheese: An important person.
  • Example: “He’s the big cheese in the company.”

• Big deal: Something significant.
  • Example: “Winning the award was a big deal for her.”

• Big fish: An important or influential person.
  • Example: “He’s a big fish in a small pond.”

• Big picture: The overall view.
  • Example: “Look at the big picture before making a decision.”

• Big time: A high level of success.
  • Example: “He hit the big time with his latest invention.”

• Birds of a feather: People who are similar.
  • Example: “Birds of a feather flock together.”

• Bird’s-eye view: A general view from above.
  • Example: “The map gives a bird’s-eye view of the city.”

• Bite off more than you can chew: To take on too much.
  • Example: “He bit off more than he could chew with this project.”

• Bite the bullet: To endure a painful experience.
  • Example: “I’ll just have to bite the bullet and get through it.”

• Bite the hand that feeds you: To harm someone who helps you.
  • Example: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

• Bitter pill to swallow: A difficult fact to accept.
  • Example: “Losing the championship was a bitter pill to swallow.”

• Black and white: Simple and clear.
  • Example: “The rules are written in black and white.”

• Black eye: A mark of shame.
  • Example: “The scandal gave the company a black eye.”

• Black sheep: A disreputable member of a group.
  • Example: “He’s the black sheep of the family.”

• Black-and-blue: Bruised.
  • Example: “He was black-and-blue after the accident.”

• Blank check: Unlimited freedom or resources.
  • Example: “The CEO gave the project a blank check.”

• Blow hot and cold: To change one’s opinion frequently.
  • Example: “He blows hot and cold about moving abroad.”

• Blow your own trumpet: To boast about oneself.
  • Example: “He’s always blowing his own trumpet about his achievements.”

• Blind date: A date with someone you have never met.
  • Example: “She was nervous about going on a blind date.”

• Blinded by love: Unable to see faults due to being in love.
  • Example: “He was blinded by love and couldn’t see her true nature.”

• Blood and thunder: A style of writing or performance that is sensational and dramatic.
  • Example: “The novel was full of blood and thunder, keeping readers on edge.”

• Blow away the cobwebs: To clear your mind and refresh yourself.
  • Example: “A morning jog helps blow away the cobwebs.”

• Blow hot and cold: To change one’s opinion frequently.
  • Example: “He blows hot and cold about the new policy.”

• Blow off steam: To release pent-up energy or emotion.
  • Example: “He went for a run to blow off steam after the meeting.”

• Blow one’s top: To lose one’s temper.
  • Example: “She blew her top when she found out about the mistake.”

• Blow one’s stack: To become very angry.
  • Example: “He blew his stack when the deal fell through.”

• Blow the cobwebs away (or out of something): To refresh or revitalize.
  • Example: “A brisk walk will blow the cobwebs away.”

• Blow the whistle: To expose wrongdoing.
  • Example: “He blew the whistle on the company’s illegal practices.”

• Blow up: To explode; to become very angry.
  • Example: “The argument caused him to blow up.”

• Blow your own trumpet: To boast about oneself.
  • Example: “She never misses a chance to blow her own trumpet.”

• Blue blood (adj. blue-blooded): Nobility or aristocracy.
  • Example: “He comes from a blue-blooded family.”

• Blue-eyed boy: A person who is a favorite.
  • Example: “He’s the blue-eyed boy of the team.”

• Blue light special: A temporary price reduction on items.
  • Example: “The store announced a blue light special on electronics.”

• Bob’s your uncle: There you have it; it’s that simple.
  • Example: “Just follow these instructions and Bob’s your uncle!”

• Bolt from the blue: A sudden and unexpected event.
  • Example: “The news came as a bolt from the blue.”

• Bone dry: Completely dry.
  • Example: “The land was bone dry after months of no rain.”

• Born on the wrong side of the blanket: Illegitimate birth.
  • Example: “He faced prejudice for being born on the wrong side of the blanket.”

• Borrow trouble: To take on unnecessary problems.
  • Example: “Don’t borrow trouble by worrying about the future.”

• Bottom of the barrel: The least desirable part.
  • Example: “We’re scraping the bottom of the barrel with these options.”

• Boy toy: A young man involved with an older woman.
  • Example: “She was seen with her new boy toy at the party.”

• Boys will be boys: Boys are expected to behave mischievously.
  • Example: “Don’t be too hard on them, boys will be boys.”

• Brainstorm: To generate ideas.
  • Example: “Let’s brainstorm some solutions to this problem.”

• Break a leg: Good luck (often said to actors).
  • Example: “Break a leg on your performance tonight!”

• Break out in a cold sweat: To feel sudden fear or anxiety.
  • Example: “He broke out in a cold sweat before the presentation.”

• Break the bank: To cost too much.
  • Example: “This vacation won’t break the bank.”

• Break the ice: To start a conversation in a social setting.
  • Example: “He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.”

• Break up/split up (with somebody): To end a relationship.
  • Example: “They decided to break up after years together.”

• Bring home the bacon: To earn a living.
  • Example: “He works hard to bring home the bacon.”

• Bringing a knife to a gunfight: Being underprepared for a situation.
  • Example: “Arguing with her is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.”

• Brush under the carpet: To hide something.
  • Example: “They brushed the scandal under the carpet.”

• Bucket list: A list of things to do before you die.
  • Example: “Skydiving is on my bucket list.”

• Bull in a china shop: A clumsy person.
  • Example: “He’s like a bull in a china shop, always breaking things.”

• Bump in the road: A minor problem.
  • Example: “We hit a bump in the road, but the project is still on track.”

• Bundle up: To dress warmly.
  • Example: “You should bundle up; it’s cold outside.”

• Burn one’s bridges: To destroy relationships.
  • Example: “Leaving the company like that will burn your bridges.”

• Burn the candle at both ends: To overwork oneself.
  • Example: “He’s burning the candle at both ends with two jobs.”

• Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night.
  • Example: “She burned the midnight oil to finish her thesis.”

• Bury (hide) one’s head in the sand: To ignore problems.
  • Example: “You can’t bury your head in the sand about your finances.”

• Bury the hatchet: To make peace.
  • Example: “They decided to bury the hatchet after years of rivalry.”

• Business as usual: Normal operations.
  • Example: “Despite the setback, it’s business as usual.”

• Busman’s holiday (UK): A vacation where you do similar work.
  • Example: “The chef spent his vacation cooking, a real busman’s holiday.”

• Busman’s holiday: A vacation spent doing the same activities as work.
  • Example: “He took a busman’s holiday, photographing wildlife on his time off.”

• Busted flush: Something that fails to live up to expectations.
  • Example: “The new software was a busted flush.”

• Butter wouldn’t melt in (someone’s) mouth: Appearing innocent while being untrustworthy.
  • Example: “He looks like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, but he’s quite mischievous.”

• Buy a pig in a poke: To purchase something without inspecting it first.
  • Example: “Buying that car without a test drive was like buying a pig in a poke.”

• Buy time: To delay something in order to gain more time.
  • Example: “She tried to buy time by asking a lot of questions.”

• By a whisker: By a very small margin.
  • Example: “He won the race by a whisker.”

• By all means: Certainly; of course.
  • Example: “By all means, take a look around.”

• By hook or by crook: By any means necessary.
  • Example: “We’ll get the project done by hook or by crook.”

• By the skin of one’s teeth: Barely.
  • Example: “He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.”

• By word of mouth: Through spoken communication.
  • Example: “The restaurant became popular by word of mouth.”

List of Idioms beginning with B

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