|
(Idioms A page 5 : upset the
applecart → at all costs)
|
upset the applecart
|
If you upset (or
overturn) the applecart, you spoil a satisfactory plan or situation.
I hope Julie doesn't attend the meeting; she could upset the
applecart.
|
|
apple-pie order
|
If something is in apple-pie
order, it is well organized or in perfect order.
They made sure the house was in apple-pie order before their parents
arrived back home.
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|
apron strings
|
If one person is tied to
another's apron strings, they remain dependent at an age when they
should be independent.
All his decisions are influenced by his mother. He's still tied to her
apron strings.
|
|
argue the toss
|
If you argue the toss,
you dispute a decision or choice which has already been made.
The final choice was made yesterday, so don't argue the toss now!
|
|
arm of the law
|
This expression refers to the
extent to which the authority or power of the law extends.
He fled to South America hoping to escape the arm of the law.
|
|
give your right arm
|
If you say "Id give my
right arm for that", you mean that you want it a lot and would do
almost anything to obtain it.
I'd give my right arm to have an apartment on Central Park.
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|
cost an arm and a leg
|
If something costs an arm and
a leg, it is very expensive.
The house cost us an arm and a leg, but we have no regrets.
|
|
be up in arms
|
If you are up in arms ,
you are very angry about something and protest very strongly.
The population was up in arms over the demolition of the old theatre.
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|
keep someone at arm's length
|
If you keep someone at arm's
length, you do not allow yourself to become friendly with them.
It's not easy to become friends with Sophie; she tends to keep
everyone at arm's length.
|
|
armchair critic
|
An armchair critic is
someone who gives advice based on theory rather than practice.
That guy is such an armchair critic - no experience but plenty of
advice.
|
|
armchair traveller
|
Someone who reads books or
watches TV programmes about other places and countries, but doesn't
actually travel anywhere, is called an armchair traveller.
A surprising number of adventure books are bought by armchair
travellers.
|
|
asking for trouble
|
Someone who is asking for
trouble is behaving so stupidly that he/she is likely to have problems.
Driving fast on these roads is really asking for trouble!
|
|
asleep at the wheel
|
If you say that someone is asleep
at the wheel, you mean that they are not sufficiently attentive,
especially at a critical moment when vigilance is required.
When the firemen arrived too late at the scene, the night watchman was
accused of being asleep at the wheel.
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|
at all costs
|
If you are determined to obtain
or achieve something at all costs, you want it regardless of the
expense, effort or sacrifice involved.
The journalist was determined at all costs to get a report from the war
zone.
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|
|
|
|
|
at this stage of the game
|
This expression refers to the
current point reached in a process, activity or developing situation.
At this stage of the game I think any further intervention would be
unwise. Let's wait and see how things develop.
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|
at stake
|
Someone who has a lot at
stake is in a risky situation, with a lot to be won or lost.
He was nervous about signing the agreement because there was a lot at
stake.
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|
automatic pilot
|
If you are on automatic
pilot, you do something without thinking about it or having to pay
attention, because you do it regularly.
Fred's on automatic pilot today - he didn't even hear my question!
|
|
of no avail
|
Something which is of no
avail is not at all helpful or useful.
The coffee machine wouldn't work, and the instruction leaflet was of no
avail.
|
|
avowed intent
|
When someone makes a public
declaration of their objective or goal, this is their avowed intent.
The avowed intent of the new government is to reduce unemployment.
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|
a rude awakening
|
If you get a rude awakening,
you are forced to accept the unpleasant truth or reality.
She thought Charlie would want her back, but she got a rude awakening -
he was already dating another girl.
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|
away with the fairies
|
Someone who is away with
the fairies is in such a dreamy state that they are not totally in
touch with reality and give the impression of being slightly mad.
It's no use trying to explain the problem to her - she's away with the
fairies!
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|
have an axe to grind
|
If you have an axe to grind,
you have personal reasons for becoming involved in something or adopting
a particular attitude.
It was decided that the best candidate would be selected by a recruitment
agency who had no axe to grind within the company.
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|
|
|
|
. (Idioms B page 1 : leave
holding baby → bad shape)
|
leave somebody holding the baby.
|
If someone is left holding the
baby, they are made responsible for a problem that others don't want to
deal with.
When the angry customer started to complain, my colleague disappeared and
left me holding the baby.
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|
back-room boys
|
This term refers to people who
do important work but have no contact with the public.
Back-room boys don't always receive the credit they deserve for their work.
|
|
back-of-the-envelope calculation
|
This expression refers to a
quick approximate calculation done informally, as on the back of an
envelope.
I don't need the exact amount. Just give me a back-of-the-envelope
calculation.
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|
back of beyond
|
An isolated place located far
from any town is said to be in the
back of beyond.
It took us hours to find Jack's house. He lives in the back of
beyond.
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|
(like the) back of one's
hand
|
If you know something like the
back of your hand, you are very familiar with it and know it in detail.
Of course I won't get lost. I know London like the back of my hand!
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|
back into shape
|
To get yourself back into
shape, you need to take some exercise in order to become fit and
healthy again.
Eva decided she'd have to get back into shape before looking for a job.
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|
back on your feet
|
If you are back on your feet,
after an illness or an accident, you are physically healthy again.
My grandmother had a bad 'flu but she's back on her feet again.
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|
back to the salt mines
|
Saying that you have to go back
to the salt mines is a humorous way of talking about returning to work,
usually with some reluctance.
We get two days off at Christmas and then it's back to the salt mines!
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|
back to square one
|
To say that someone is back
to square one means that they have not succeeded in what they were
trying to do, so they have to start again.
When the plans were refused, it was 'back to square one' for the architect.
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|
back to the wall
|
If you have your back to the
wall, you are in serious difficulty.
With his back to the wall, the supplier had to accept the deal.
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|
back the wrong horse
|
If you back or bet on the
wrong horse, for example the loser in a contest, match or election, you
support the wrong person.
When I voted for him I was convinced he would win, but I backed the wrong
horse!
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|
backhanded compliment
|
A remark that appears to express
admiration but could also be interpreted as an insult is called a backhanded
compliment.
He said my presentation was "surprisingly clear". How's
that for a backhanded compliment!
|
|
backseat driver
|
A passenger in a car who gives
unwanted advice to the driver is called a backseat driver.
I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!
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|
bad egg
|
Someone who is a bad
egg is an untrustworthy person often involved in trouble whose
company should be avoided.
I don't want my son to be friends with Bobby Smith. Bobby's a bad
egg.
|
|
bad hair day
|
Originating as a humorous
comment about one's hair being unmanageable, this term had broadened to
mean 'a day when everything seems to go wrong'.
What's wrong with Jenny? Is she having a bad hair day?
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|
(in) bad shape
|
A person who is in bad shape
is in poor physical condition.
I really am in bad shape. I must do more exercise.
|
|
|
badger someone
|
If you badger someone into
doing something, you persistently nag or pester them until you obtain
what you want.
Sophie badgered her parents into buying her a new computer.
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|
bag of bones
|
To say that someone is a bag
of bones means that they are extremely thin.
When he came home from the war he was a bag of bones.
|
|
bag of tricks
|
If you use your (whole) bag of
tricks to do something, you try (all) the clever methods you know in
order to succeed.
Let's call on George and his bag of tricks; maybe he can help us solve
the problem.
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|
in the bag
|
People use this expression
when it becomes obvious that success or victory is going to be achieved.
An hour before the polling stations closed, victory seemed in the bag for
the Conservative candidate.
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|
bait and switch
|
This term refers to a
deceptive commercial practice of advertising
a low-priced item to attract customers, then telling them that the
product is out of stock and persuading them to buy a more expensive
article.
This store is famous for its bait and switch tactics.
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|
in the balance
|
If something is in the
balance, the situation is uncertain and it is not clear what is going
to happen.
The future of the company is in the balance while the takeover bid is
being examined.
|
|
balancing act
|
When you try to satisfy two or
more people or groups who have different needs, and keep everyone happy,
you perform a balancing act.
Many people, especially women, have to perform a balancing act
between work and family.
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|
ball and chain
|
This term refers to a burden
or problem that ties you down and prevents you from doing what you want.
It can also refer to one's spouse.
Our holiday home has become a ball and chain - it's too much work!
|
|
ball is in your court
|
If the ball is in your
court, it is your turn to speak or act next.
We gave the manager a list of complaints, so the ball is in his court
now.
|
|
have a ball
|
If you have a ball you
enjoy yourself immensely.
The party was great. We had a ball.
|
|
on the ball
|
If you are on the ball,
you are aware of what is happening and are able to deal with things
quickly and intelligently.
We need someone who is really on the ball to head the fund-raising
campaign.
|
|
start the ball rolling
|
If you start the ball
rolling, you begin an activity in which other people will join.
Let's start the ball rolling by calling on our first speaker.
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|
that's the way the ball
bounces
|
Things don't always work out
as planned, and there's nothing we can do about it - that's life.
He didn't get the prize he expected, but never mind - that's the way the
ball bounces.
|
|
whole new ball game
|
To refer to something as a whole
new ball game means that it is a completely different situation due
to a new set of circumstances.
Email and text messaging have made communication a whole new ball game.
|
|
(Idioms B page 3 :
ballpark figure → battle lines)
|
ballpark figure
|
If someone gives a ballpark
figure, they give an approximate number or a rough estimate of the
cost of something.
I don't know exactly how much it cost, but a ballpark figure would be
around $100 000.
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|
(load of) baloney
|
This term refers to idle
talk, or pretentious, untrue or insincere statements that nobody can
believe.
That's a load of baloney! I don't believe a word of it!
|
|
bandit territory
|
A geographical area where
law enforcement is practically impossible, because people ignore all
rules, is called 'bandit territory'.
There are a certain number of bandit territories in the world where
travellers are advised not to go.
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|
jump on the bandwagon
|
If a person or organization
jumps on the bandwagon, they decide to do something when it is
already successful or fashionable.
When organic food became fashionable, certain stores were quick to jump
on the bandwagon and promote it.
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|
bane of one's life
|
To say that something is the
bane of your life means that it is the cause of your problems or
your unhappiness.
The heating system is always breaking down. It's the bane of my
life!
|
|
bang one's head against a
brick wall
|
If you bang or knock your
head against a brick wall, you continue vainly to try to achieve
something in spite of several unsuccessful attempts.
I've been banging my head against a brick wall trying to explain the
internet to my grandmother!
|
|
bar fly
|
A bar fly is someone
who spends a lot of time drinking in bars and pubs.
You'll find Johnny down at the pub - he's a real bar fly.
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|
bare one's soul
|
If you bare you soul
(or heart) to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings
to them.
Mike couldn't keep things to himself any longer. He decided to bare his
soul to his best friend.
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|
barefaced liar
|
Someone who lies easily,
with a total lack of shame, is a barefaced liar.
That barefaced liar stole my watch and said he'd found it!
|
|
barking up the wrong tree
|
A person who is barking
up the wrong tree is doing the wrong thing, because their beliefs
or ideas are incorrect or mistaken.
The police are barking up the wrong tree if they think Joey stole the
car - he can't drive!
|
|
basket case
|
A person whose agitated
mental state leaves them helpless or unable to cope with things is
called a basket case.
Jenny will turn into a basket case if this stressful situation
continues.
|
|
bats in the belfry
|
If you say that somebody has
bats in the belfry, you mean that they are eccentric or crazy.
He comes up with the craziest ideas - he's got bats in the belfry!
|
|
bated breath
|
If you wait for something
with bated breath, you are both anxious and excited about an imminent
event.
We waited with bated breath for the winner to be announced.
|
|
batten down the hatches
|
When you batten down the
hatches, you prepare yourself for trouble or a forthcoming
difficult period, like a ship preparing for a storm.
Here comes that trouble-making guy. Batten down the hatches!
|
|
battle lines are drawn
|
This expression is used to
say that opposing groups are ready to defend the reason behind the
conflict.
The battle lines have been drawn between those who accept the changes
and those who are against the proposed reforms.
|
|
|
(Idioms B page 4 :
battle of wills → beat a dead horse)
|
battle of wills
|
A conflict, argument or
struggle where both sides are determined to win is described as a battle
of wills.
When they separated, neither party would make concessions - it was a
battle of wills.
|
|
be full of beans
|
A person who is full of
beans is lively, healthy and active.
He may be getting old but he's still full of beans.
|
|
be my guest
|
This expression is used to
give someone permission to do something.
If you'd like to use the phone, be my guest.
|
|
be-all and end-all
|
To say that something is not
the be-all and end-all means that it is not what matters most or
what is most essential.
Good schools are not the be-all and end-all of educating a child.
|
|
be that as it may
|
This expression means that
what the speaker says may be true but it will not change the situation.
OK. Fewer people may come because of the bad weather, but be that as it
may, it's too late to cancel the show.
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|
bear the brunt
|
A person who bears the
brunt of something is the one who suffers the most when something
bad or unpleasant happens.
When things go wrong, his assistant always has to bear the brunt of his
anger.
|
|
bear fruit
|
If something bears fruit,
it produces positive or successful results.
After years of hard work, his research finally began to bear fruit.
|
|
bear in mind
|
If a person asks you to bear
something in mind, they are asking you to remember it because it is
important.
You must bear in mind that the cost of living is higher in New
York.
|
|
bear with a sore head
|
If someone is behaving like
a bear with a sore head, they are very irritable and
bad-tempered.
When his team lost the match, Brad was like a bear with a sore
head.
|
|
beard the lion in his den
|
If you visit someone
important in the place where they work, in order to challenge him/her
or obtain something, you beard the lion in his den.
If he continues to refuse my calls, I'll have to beard the lion in his
den.
|
|
beat one's brain out
|
If someone beats their
brains out, they try very hard to understand something or solve a
problem.
My grandmother beats her brains out every evening trying to do the
crossword puzzle in the newspaper.
|
|
beat around the bush
|
This expression is used to
tell someone to say what they have to say, clearly and directly, even
if it is unpleasant.
Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me what has been decided!
|
|
beat/flog a dead horse
|
To say that someone is
beating a dead horse means that they are wasting time and effort
trying to do or achieve something that is impossible.
Mark is beating a dead horse trying to get his money reimbursed.
The company has gone bankrupt!
|
|
|
|
beat a hasty retreat
|
Someone who beats a
(hasty) retreat runs away or goes back hurriedly to avoid a
dangerous or difficult situation.
The thief beat a hasty retreat as soon as he saw the security officer.
|
|
|
beat/knock the (living)
daylights
|
If a person beats the
(living) daylights out of another, they hit them very hard and
repeatedly.
If I catch you stealing again I'll beat the daylights out of you!
|
|
|
beat someone to the draw
|
If you beat someone to
the draw, you react more quickly and manage to do something before
they do.
Ross was determined to be the first to arrive. He managed to beat the
others to the draw.
|
|
|
it beats me!
|
This expression is used to
express surprise at something that you find difficult to understand.
It beats me how he can live in that horrible apartment!
|
|
|
at someone's beck and call
|
If a person is at
someone's beck and call, they are always ready to do things for
them or obey orders to please them.
Parents should not be at the beck and call of their children.
|
|
|
bee in one's bonnet
|
Someone who has a bee in
their bonnet has an idea which constantly occupies their thoughts.
She's got a bee in her bonnet about moving to New York.
|
|
|
bee's knees
|
To say that
someone/something is the bee's knees means that the
speaker thinks they are exceptionally good.
If you say "Chloe thinks she's the bee's knees" you mean that
Chloe has a high opinion of herself.
|
|
|
beef something up
|
If you beef something up,
you improve it by making it stronger or more substantial.
You'd better beef up your arguments if you want to defend your case.
|
|
|
been in/through the wars
|
If a person or thing has been
in or through the wars, they show signs of rough treatment, injury
or damage.
He arrived in a car that looked as though it had been through the wars.
|
|
|
been there, done that
|
The expression is used to
indicate that the speaker is familiar with the situation
mentioned. It can also refer to an attitude which reflects a
certain boredom at the idea of repeating an experience that has lost
its novelty.
His suggestions produced a 'been there, done that' attitude which
undermined his enthusiasm.
|
|
|
before the ink is dry
|
If people reach an
agreement, and then change their minds immediately afterwards, the
change occurs 'before the ink is dry'.
You can never tell when he's serious. He's capable of changing
his mind before the ink is dry!
|
|
|
before you know it
|
If something takes place so
suddenly that you don't have time to become aware of it, it happens
before you know it or before you know where you are.
The doorbell rang, and before we knew it a surprise birthday party was
under way!
|
|
|
before your very eyes
|
If someone does something
before your very eyes, they do it in front of you, without attempting
to hide what they are doing.
Before my very eyes, he took the rubbish and threw it into the
neigbour's garden.
|
|
|
|
|
|
beggars can't be choosers
|
This expression means that
you should not reject an offer if it is the only possibility you have.
You have no choice.
"Beggars can't be choosers!"
|
|
behind bars
|
Someone who is behind
bars is in prison.
If you hang around with that gang, you'll find yourself behind bars in
no time!
|
|
behind closed doors
|
If something takes place behind
closed doors, it is done privately, with no observers or intruders.
The matter was discussed behind closed doors.
|
|
behind the times
|
A person who is behind
the times has old-fashioned ideas and does not keep up with modern
life in general.
Jane doesn't have a mobile phone. She's completely behind the
times.
|
|
ring a bell
|
If something rings a bell,
it is vaguely familar to you, but you can't remember the exact details.
John Bentley? The name rings a bell but I don't remember him.
|
|
with bells on
|
If you go somewhere with
bells on, you are delighted and eager to go there.
Of course I'll be there - with bells on!
|
|
below the belt
|
An action or remark
described as below the belt is considered to be unfair or cruel.
Politicians sometimes use personal information to hit their rivals
below the belt.
|
|
tighten your belt
|
If you need to tighten
your belt, you must spend less money or be careful how you spend it
because there is less available.
Another bill? I'll have to tighten my belt this month!
|
|
under one's belt
|
If you have something under
your belt, you have acquired experience or have satisfactorily
achieved something.
You've got to have some work experience under your belt before you can
hope to get a permanent job.
|
|
bend over backwards
|
If you bend over
backwards, you try very hard to do something, especially to please
somebody.
The manager bent over backwards to try to make Jack stay, but Jack
wouldn't change his mind.
|
|
bend the truth
|
If you bend the truth,
you say something that is not entirely true.
Ok, I bent the truth a bit. I told him it was my natural colour,
but I didn't say that my hairdresser helped me to keep it natural!
|
|
benefit of the doubt
|
If you give someone the benefit
of the doubt, you choose to believe that the person is innocent,
honest or telling the truth, because there is no evidence to the
contrary.
Although he found it hard to believe Tom's explanation, the teacher
decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
|
|
bent out of shape
|
If you get bent out of
shape, you become annoyed or upset about something that is usually
not that important or cannot be avoided.
Don't get bent out of shape if you're delayed. We'll wait for
you.
|
|
beside yourself
|
If you are beside
yourself (with an emotion), you lose your self-control because of
the intensity of the emotion you are feeling.
He was beside himself with grief when he lost his son.
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|
|
|
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|
best bet
|
The action most likely to
succeed is called one's best bet.
Your best bet would be to try calling him at home.
|
|
|
best of one's ability
|
When someone does something to
the best of their ability, they do it as well as they possibly can.
I felt nervous all through the interview, but I replied to the
questions the best of my ability.
|
|
|
best of both worlds
|
If a person has the best
of both worlds, they have the benefits and advantages of two
different things.
We live in the centre of town, but only 5 minutes from the beach.
We have the best of both worlds.
|
|
|
best foot forward
|
If you put your best
foot forward, you do something as fast as you can.
It's a long way to the station, but if I put my best foot forward I
should catch the next train.
|
|
|
bet your bottom dollar
|
If you bet your bottom
dollar on something, you are absolutely certain of it.
Jack is very punctual. You can bet your bottom dollar he'll be
here at 9 o'clock on the dot.
|
|
|
bet on the wrong horse
|
If you back or bet
on the wrong horse, for example the loser in a contest, match or
election, you support the wrong person.
When I voted for him, I was convinced he would win, but I backed the
wrong horse.
|
|
|
better late than never
|
When someone does something
late, this remark means that it is better to do it late than not do it
at all.
Do you know what time it is? You promised you'd come early to help me -
but better late than never I suppose!
|
|
|
better safe than sorry
|
It's better to be too
cautious than to be careless and have regrets later.
Let's book tickets in advance - better safe than sorry!
|
|
|
better still/worse still
|
This expression is used to
emphasize that although something is good, bad, etc., something else
makes it even better, worse, etc.
Not only did he get a great offer, but better still, a house and car
come with the job.
|
|
|
think better of
|
If you think better of
something, you decide not to do what you intended doing.
I was going to go shopping, but when I saw the crowded car park,
I thought better of it.
|
|
|
between the devil and the
deep blue sea
|
If you are between the
devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a situation where there are
to equally unpleasant alternatives.
When the new product didn't take off, the management was caught between
the devil and the deep blue sea : develop a new marketing campaign or
drop the product.
|
|
|
it's beyond me
|
To say 'it's beyond me'
means that it is impossible for you to understand.
It's beyond me why Mary wants to marry John.
|
|
|
beyond any reasonable doubt
|
This is a legal expression
which means that something is certain.
The court established, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the man was
innocent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
beyond one's wildest dreams
|
If something is beyond
your wildest dreams, it is better than you imagined or hoped for.
The research team received a grant from the government that was beyond
their wildest dreams.
|
|
|
beyond recall
|
Something which is beyond
recall is impossible to retrieve, cancel or reverse.
I'm afraid we can't recover the pictures - your camera is beyond
recall.
|
|
|
beyond redemption
|
If something is beyond
redemption, it is in such a poor state that there is no hope of
improvement or recovery.
With the latest scandal, his reputation is now beyond redemption.
|
|
|
bide your time
|
If you bide your time,
you wait for a good opportunity to do something.
He's not hesitating, he's just biding his time, waiting for the price
to drop.
|
|
|
big cheese
|
This expression refers to a
person who has a lot of power and influence in an organization.
Tom's father is a big cheese in the oil industry.
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big fish in a small pond
|
This term refers to an
important or highly-ranked person in a small group or organization.
He could get a job with a big company but he enjoys being a big fish in
a small pond.
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big picture
|
If you talk about the big
picture, you refer to the overall situation,
or the project as a whole rather than the details.
While each aspect is important, try not to forget the big picture.
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bill of health
|
If a person has a clean
bill of health, they have a report or certificate declaring that
their health is satisfactory.
All candidates for the position must produce a clean bill of health.
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|
binge drinking
|
This term refers to heavy
drinking where large quantities of alcohol are consumed in a short
space of time, often among young people in rowdy groups.
Binge drinking is becoming a major problem in some European
countries.
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|
|
birds of a feather
|
To say that two people are birds
of a feather means that they are very similar in many ways.
No wonder they get on well. They're birds of a feather!
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|
for the birds
|
If you think something is
for the birds, you consider it to be uninteresting, useless or not
to be taken seriously.
As far as I'm concerned, his theory is for the birds.
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|
|
birthday suit
|
This humorous expression
means that you are wearing nothing.
The bathroom door blew open, and there I was in my birthday suit!
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|
take the biscuit
|
This expression refers to
something very irritating or annoying.
After waiting for an hour, we were told that there were no seats
left. That really took the biscuit!
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|
|
bite the bullet
|
If you bite the bullet,
you accept something unpleasant because you cannot avoid it.
If you don't have health insurance, you have to bite the bullet and pay
the hospital fees.
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|
bite the dust
|
The expression 'bite'
or 'hit the dust' is a humorous way of referring to death.
It's a story about an old cowboy who hits the dust during a train
robbery.
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|
bite off more than you can
chew
|
If you bite off more than
you can chew, you try to do something that is too difficult for you,
or more than you can manage.
As soon as I started to translate the report, I realized that I had
bitten off more than I could chew.
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|
get a second bite at the
cherry
|
This expression means that
you get a second opportunity to do
or try something.
He was eliminated in the semi-finals, but he'll get a second bite at
the cherry next year.
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|
bite the hand that feeds you
|
If you bite the hand that
feeds you, you are unfriendly or do harm to someone who is kind to
you.
If you say bad things about the person who gives you a job, you bite
the hand that feeds you.
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bite someone's head off
|
If you bite someone's
head off, you criticize them strongly (and perhaps unfairly).
I worked 10 hours a day all week and my boss bit my head off for not
doing my share of the work!
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|
bite one's tongue
|
If you bite your tongue,
you try not to say what you really think or feel.
It was difficult for me not to react; I had to bite my tongue.
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|
bitten by the bug
|
If you develop a sudden
interest or enthusiasm for something, you are bitten by the bug.
My dad decided to take up golf and was immediately bitten by the bug.
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|
once bitten twice shy
|
This is said by someone who
has had an unpleasant experience which has made them more cautious.
I'm never going to get married again. Once bitten, twice shy!
|
|
bitter pill to swallow
|
Something very unpleasant or
difficult to accept is a bitter pill to swallow.
Losing his job after organizing the merger was a bitter pill to
swallow.
|
|
black market
|
The black market
refers to the illegal buying and selling of goods or currencies.
Be careful of what you buy on the black market - it's not always good
quality.
|
|
black out
|
If you black out, you
lose consciousness.
When Tony saw the needle, he blacked out.
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|
black sheep
|
The black sheep is
one who behaves very differently or badly, and is considered
disreputable by the other members of the family.
Joe was the black sheep of the family, always getting into trouble.
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black tie event
|
This expression refers to a
formal event at which men are required to wear a dinner jacket, or
tuxedo, and a black bow tie.
I need to know if it's going to be a casual get-together or a black tie
event.
|
|
in black and white
|
To say that something is
in black and white means that there is written proof of it.
It's an obligation. It's in black and white in your contract.
|
|
blamestorming
|
A discussion among a group
of people who try to determine who
or what is to blame for a particular mistake, failure or wrongdoing, is
called 'blamestorming'.
A blamestorming session took place following the unfavourable reviews
in the press.
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blank cheque
|
If you give someone a
blank cheque, you authorize them to do what they think is best in a
difficult situation.
Tom was given a blank cheque and told to negotiate the best deal
possible.
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|
|
wet blanket
|
To refer to someone as a
wet blanket means that they spoil other people's fun, or make an
event less enjoyable than it could have been.
Come on Mike! Don't be such a wet blanket. You're spoiling the
party!
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|
|
blessing in disguise
|
This expression refers to
something that is unpleasant at first but later turns out to have
advantages.
Missing the plane was a blessing in disguise - that's how he met his
wife. She was a hostess on the next flight!
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blind alley
|
If you go up a blind
alley, you follow an ineffective course of action which leads
nowhere or produces no results.
The suspect's 'revelations' lead the police up a blind alley.
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|
|
blind as a bat
|
Someone whose vision is very
poor, or who is unable to see anything, is (as) blind as a bat.
Without his glasses, the old man is as blind as a bat.
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|
|
blind leading the blind
|
This expression describes a
person with very little ability trying to help or guide a person with
no ability.
Don't ask Sofia to translate it. She hardly speaks a word of
English herself. It would be the blind leading the blind.
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|
blind someone with science
|
If someone tries to blind
you with science, they confuse you with their knowledge by using
difficult or technical words.
When you ask Tim for a simple explanation, he blinds you with science.
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|
blink of an eye
|
If something happens in
the blink of an eye, it happens nearly instantaneously, with hardly
enough time to notice it.
The pickpocket disappeared in the blink of an eye.
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on the blink
|
If a machine is on the
blink, it is not working properly and needs servicing or repair.
What a nuisance! The photocopier is on the blink again.
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|
|
blockbuster
|
Something that is
outstanding, impressive or particularly successful, such as a film or a
book ,is called a blockbuster.
The TV series was a blockbuster.
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|
makes your blood boil
|
If something makes your
blood boil, it makes you really angry.
His condescending attitude made my blood boil!
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|
makes your blood run cold
|
If something makes your
blood run cold, it shocks or scares you
a lot.
The look in the prisoner's eyes made my blood run cold.
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|
blood out of a stone
|
This expression refers to
something that is very difficult to obtain.
Negotiating a reduction from that company is like getting blood from a
stone!
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|
blood, sweat and tears
|
A project or action which
involves blood, sweat and tears requires a lot of effort
and hard work.
His success wasn't due to luck; it was blood, sweat and tears all the
way.
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|
blot one's copy-book
|
Someone who blots their
copy-book does something to spoil their good record or reputation.
He blotted his copy-book when he was arrested for speeding.
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|
blow away the cobwebs
|
If something blows away
the cobwebs, it makes you feel more lively and refreshes your
ideas.
Let's get out of the house. A walk on the beach will blow away the
cobwebs!
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blow a fuse
|
If you blow a fuse,
you suddenly lose your temper and become very angry.
Charlie blew a fuse yesterday then he discovered that his ipod had been
stolen.
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|
blow a gasket
|
When a furious person blows
a gasket, they explode with anger.
When the shop was burgled for the third time, the owner blew a gasket.
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|
blow hot and cold
|
If you blow hot and cold about
something, you constantly change your opinion about it.
The boss keeps blowing hot and cold about the marketing campaign - one
day he finds it excellent, the next day he wants to make changes.
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|
blow out of proportion
|
If you exaggerate the
importance of something, you blow it out of proportion.
The importance of the event was blown out of proportion by the media.
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blow the whistle
|
If you report an illegal or
socially-harmful activity to the authorities, and give information
about those responsible for it, you blow the whistle or you are
a whistle-blower.
He refused to blow the whistle on his boss for fear of losing his job.
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blow up in your face
|
When working on a plan or
project, if it suddenly goes wrong or fails, it blows up in your
face.
The trip was difficult to organize, but it blew up in his face when the
airline company went on strike.
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blow your top
|
If you blow your top,
you suddenly become very angry.
When my mother saw the state of the house after the party, she blew
her top!
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|
|
blue around the gills
|
If a person looks blue
around gills, (or green or pale) they look unwell or
sick.
You should sit down. You look a bit blue around the gills.
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blue chip company
|
This term refers to a
company with a solid reputation for the quality of its products and the
stability of its growth and earnings.
It's usually safe to invest in a blue chip company.
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blue in the face
|
If you do something until
you are blue in the face, you try unsuccessfully to do something
for a very long time.
I explained the situation until I was blue in the face but she wouldn't
change her mind.
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feel blue
|
To feel blue means to
have feelings of deep sadness or depression.
I'm going to see my grandmother. She's feeling a bit blue at the
moment.
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|
blue-eyed boy
|
A blue-eyed boy is
someone's favourite.
He's the director's blue-eyed boy!
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out of the blue
|
If something happens out
of the blue, it happens very unexpectedly.
I had nearly given up hope when out of the blue I was offered a job.
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(scream) blue murder
|
Someone who screams blue
murder shouts or complains very loudly as if something very serious
has happened.
The crowd started screaming blue murder when the football match was
interrupted.
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above board
|
If a situation or business
is described as above board, it is open, honest and legal.
There are not secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been
above board.
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in the same boat
|
If two or more parties are
in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant or difficult
situation.
When the factory closed down, the workers all found themselves in the
same boat.
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miss the boat
|
If you miss the boat,
you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don't act
quickly enough.
I managed to get my order through before the end of the special offer -
but I nearly missed the boat!
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|
bodice-ripper
|
A novel, usually on a
historical theme, with a plot that involves romantic passion between a
vulnerable heroine and a rich, powerful male character, is called a
bodice-ripper.
The novel is a bodice-ripper set in the French revolution.
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the mind boggles
|
The expression 'the mind
boggles' is used as a reaction to something you find amazing or
difficult to understand.
She crossed the Atlantic alone - can you imagine? - the mind boggles!
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|
|
bold as brass
|
Someone who is as bold as
brass behaves without shame or embarrassment.
Bold as brass, he refused the gift and handed it back to his mother-in-law.
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|
bolt from the blue
|
To refer to something as a
bolt from the blue means that it happened totally unexpectedly.
The chairman's resignation came as a bolt from the blue.
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|
bone of contention
|
A bone of contention
is a matter or subject about which there is
a lot of disagreement.
The salaries have been agreed on, but opening on Sundays is still a
bone of contention.
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|
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bone to pick with someone
|
If you have a bone to
pick with someone, you are annoyed with them and want to talk to
them about it.
Mark wants to see the boss. He says he's got a bone to pick with
him.
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|
|
make no bones about
it
|
If you make no bones
about something, you don't hesitate to say something in a frank and
open way.
I made no bones about it. I told him his offer was
unacceptable.
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|
|
you can't judge a book by
its cover
|
This expression means that
you should not form an opinion about something from its appearance
only.
He leads a very simple life but in fact he's an extremely rich
man. - you can't judge a book by its cover.
|
|
|
in someone's good/bad books
|
If you are in somebody's
good or bad books, you have their approval or disapproval.
I'm in my wife's bad books at the moment because I forgot our wedding
anniversary.
|
|
|
lick somebody's boots
|
To say that one person
licks another person's boots means that they are trying to please
that person, often in order to obtain something.
There's no need to lick the manager's boots. Just do your job!
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|
|
too big for one's boots
|
A person who is getting
too big for their boots is behaving as if they were more important
than they really are.
Tom's really getting too big for his boots since he got a promotion -
he hardly says hello any more!
|
|
|
bored to tears
(distraction/death/silly)
|
If you find something so
dull and uninteresting that it makes you sad enough to cry, you are
bored to tears.
I could see that my son was bored to tears by the historical
documentary.
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|
born with a silver spoon in
one's mouth
|
A person who is born with
a silver spoon in their mouth is born into a very rich family.
She never has to worry about money; she was born with a silver spoon in
her mouth.
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|
|
I wasn't born yesterday
|
This expression is used to
indicate that you are not as foolish or as easily deceived as some
people seem to think.
Stop inventing silly excuses. I wasn't born yesterday you know!
|
|
|
botch up/
make a botch of
|
If you spoil something, or
make a mess of it, by doing a job badly or incorrectly, you make a
botch of it or you botch it up.
Danny tried to assemble the new desk, but he made a botch of it.
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|
|
on the bottle
|
A person who drinks alcohol
often and regularly is on the bottle.
John went on the bottle when he lost his job.
|
|
|
bottom fell out
|
When something causes a plan,
project or venture to collapse or fail, the bottom falls out of
it.
When heavy rain was announced, the bottom fell out of their plans for a
beach party.
|
|
|
bounce off the walls
|
Someone who is very excited
about something, or full of nervous energy, is said to be bouncing
off the walls.
Danny can't wait to start his new job. He's bouncing off the
walls.
|
|
|
bow and scrape
|
To say that someone is
bowing and scraping means that they are being excessively polite or
servile.
The President was greeted with much bowing and scraping.
|
|
|
brain drain
|
The departure of highly
qualified people (scientists, engineers, etc.) for other countries,
where they have better opportunities and usually better pay, is called
the brain drain.
|
|
|
brain like a sieve
|
Someone who has a brain
like a sieve has a very bad memory and forgets things easily.
Oh, I forgot to buy the bread - I've got a brain like a sieve these
days!
|
|
|
have something on the brain
|
If you have something on
the brain, you think or talk abut it all constantly.
Stop talking about golf. You've got golf on the brain!
|
|
|
brains behind something
|
Someone who is the brains
behind a project or action is the person thought to have planned
and organized everything.
The police have arrested a man believed to be the brains behind the
bank robbery.
|
|
|
no-brainer
|
A decision or choice that
requires little or no thought, because the best option is so obvious,
is called a no-brainer.
The choice was between a cash refund or having the amount credited to
my account - it was a no-brainer. I took the cash!
|
|
|
get down to brass tacks
|
When people get down to
brass tacks, they start to discuss the essential aspects of a
problem or situation.
The situation was so serious that after a few polite exchanges they
quickly got down to brass tacks.
|
|
|
all brawn and no brain
|
Someone who is physically
very strong but not very intelligent is said to be all brawn and no
brain.
He's an impressive player to watch, but he's all brawn and no brain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
know which side your bread
is buttered
|
If you know which side your
bread is buttered, you know where your interests lie or what will
be to your advantage.
Jack never argues with his father-in-law. He knows which side his
bread is buttered.
|
|
|
take the bread out of
somebody's mouth
|
If you take the bread out
of somebody's mouth, you take away their means of earning a living.
The decision to ban street vendors took the bread out of the mouths of
many people.
|
|
|
on the breadline
|
People who live on the
breadline have a very low income or barely enough money to survive.
Due to the recent crisis, there are more people on the breadline than
ever before.
|
|
|
break your back
|
If you work extremely hard,
or put a lot of effort into achieving something, you break your back
to do it.
If you want the job done well, you should accept to pay more.
He's not going to break his back for such a low price!
|
|
|
break the back of the beast
|
If someone breaks the
back of the beast, they succeed in overcoming a major difficulty.
After hours of effort, the technicians finally broke the back of the
beast and turned the electricity back on again.
|
|
|
break fresh ground
|
If you break fresh ground,
you innovate by introducing or developing a new method or system.
Scientists have broken fresh ground in their exploration of outer
space.
|
|
|
break a leg!
|
This is a humorous way of
wishing someone good luck, especially among stage performers.
So tonight's the opening night? Break a leg!
|
|
|
break the mould
|
If you change what people
expect from a (traditional) situation, especially by doing something
original, you break the mould.
After generations of doctors in the family, he broke the mould by
becoming a fashion designer.
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|
|
break every rule in the book
|
If you behave in a
completely unacceptable way, you break every rule in the book.
Our competitors obtained the contract by breaking every rule in the
book.
|
|
|
break out in cold sweat
|
If you break out in a
cold sweat, you begin to perspire a lot, usually from anxiety.
I get nervous at the dentist's and usually break out in a cold sweat.
|
|
|
breaking and entering
|
This term refers to the fact
of entering a building or home illegally by breaking open a window,
door, etc.
The two men were found guilty of breaking and entering.
|
|
|
breathe down someone's neck
|
If someone is breathing
down your neck, they are watching you too closely and making you
feel uncomfortable.
The atmosphere at work is not great; the boss keeps breathing down
our necks all the time.
|
|
|
a breeze
|
To say that something was
a breeze means that it was very easy or that everything went
smoothly.
The interview was a breeze - barely 10 minutes and I got the job!
|
|
|
|
|
|
bricks and mortar
bricks and clicks
|
An established trading
company (office/shop) is referred to as a 'brick-and-mortar'
business.
'Click companies' refer to internet-based operations.
Companies which do both are called 'bricks and clicks'.
Click businesses are usually more flexible than brick-and-mortar
operations.
|
|
|
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
|
A person who is bright-eyed
and bushy-tailed is very enthusiastic and full of energy.
Gary was fantastic. He arrived bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 7am
and worked with us all day.
|
|
|
bring the house down
|
If you bring the house
down, you give a very successful performance.
If he sings like that on Saturday, he'll bring the house down.
|
|
|
bring nothing to the table
|
If you participate in
negotiations and bring nothing to the table, you have nothing of
interest to offer the other side.
We'll never reach an agreement if we don't all bring something to the
table.
|
|
|
bring someone to heel
|
If you force someone to
behave in a disciplined manner, you bring them to heel.
The boy had always behaved badly, but the new headmaster managed to
bring him to heel.
|
|
|
bring up the rear
|
Someone who brings up the
rear is the last person in a group of people who are walking or
running.
The pupils walked calmly down the corridor, with the teacher bringing
up the rear.
|
|
|
broad daylight
|
If something happens in
broad daylight, it takes place in the clear light of day when
everyone can see what's going on.
His car was stolen in front of the bank, in broad daylight, and
apparently there was not one witness!
|
|
|
broad as it's long
|
This expression means that
there is no real difference which alternative is chosen.
Take the high-speed train, or fly and take a taxi? It's as broad as
it's long.
|
|
|
broad strokes
|
If something is described or
defined with/in broad strokes, it is outlined in a very general
way, without any details.
In a few broad strokes he summed up the situation.
|
|
|
brown as a berry
|
To say that someone is as brown
as a berry means that they are very tanned.
Judy came back from her holiday as brown as a berry.
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|
|
browned off
|
If you are browned off,
you are bored, fed up or disheartened.
Tom is browned off with his job.
|
|
|
have a brush with
|
When you have a brush
with something, such as the law, you encounter or experience it
briefly.
Had a brush with the law for speeding a few years ago, but he has had a
clean record ever since.
|
|
|
the bubble has burst
|
To say that the bubble
has burst means that the success of an idea, a product or a
situation has suddenly stopped.
The video game was a phenomenal success but the bubble has burst.
|
|
|
pass the buck
|
If you say that someone is
passing the buck, you are accusing them of not taking
responsibility for a problem and expecting someone else to handle it.
Sam takes the easy way out. Whenever a problem arises, he
immediately passes the buck!
|
|
|
|
|
|
kick the bucket
|
To kick the bucket is
a lighthearted way of talking about death.
He will inherit when his grandfather kicks the bucket!
|
|
|
buckle down
|
If you buckle down,
you apply yourself with determination to hard work and give it hour
full attention.
If you want to pass your exams, you'll have to buckle down and do some
serious work.
|
|
|
nip in the bud
|
If you nip a problem
or an unacceptable situation in the bud, you stop it at an early
stage, before it develops or becomes worse.
He wanted to be a clown, but his parents soon nipped that idea in the
bud.
|
|
|
build bridges
|
If a person builds
bridges between opposing groups, they help them to cooperate and
understand each other better.
A mediator is trying to build bridges between the local community and
the owners of the new plant.
|
|
|
take the bull by the horns
|
To take the bull by the
horns means that a person decides to act decisively in order to
deal with a difficult situation or problem.
When the argument turned into a fight, the bar owner took the bull by
the horns and called the police.
|
|
|
bulldoze somebody
into doing something
|
A person who is bulldozed
into doing something is forced to do it, especially by being
bullied or intimidated.
The immigrants we bulldozed into accepting the work.
|
|
|
bundle of nerves
|
If you describe someone as a
bundle of nerves, you mean that they are very nervous, tense or
worried.
My son is doing his driving test today. Needless to say he's a
bundle of nerves!
|
|
|
burden of proof
|
The burden of proof is
the necessity imposed by the law to prove that what one says is true.
The burden of proof lies with the claimant.
|
|
|
burn your bridges
|
If you burn your bridges,
you do something that will be impossible to rectify in the future.
If you refuse the offer, be careful not to burn your bridges by
insulting them. They may make a better proposal later.
|
|
|
burn the candle at both ends
|
If you burn the candle at
both ends, you exhaust yourself by doing too much, especially going
to bed late and getting up early.
Scott looks exhausted - I'll bet he's been burning the candle at both
ends lately.
|
|
|
burn your fingers
|
If you burn your fingers
(or get your fingers burnt), you suffer financially as a result
of foolish behaviour.
Jack got his fingers burnt playing on the stock market.
|
|
|
on the back burner
|
If you put a project or
issue on the back burner, you decide to deal with it at a later
date because you do not consider it to be that urgent or important.
When Julie was offered a promotion she put her MBA plans on the back
burner.
|
|
|
burning question
|
What everyone is asking, and
what we all want to know about, is called the burning question.
Who leaked the information? That's the burning question!
|
|
|
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bury head in sand
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If you bury your head in
the sand, you refuse to face the unpleasant reality by pretending
that the situation doesn't exist.
It's no good burying your head in the sand. We've got a problem on our
hands.
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bury the hatchet
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When people who have had a
disagreement decide to forget their quarrel and become friends again,
they bury the hatchet.
I didn't agree with my colleague's decision, but for the sake of peace,
I decided to bury the hatchet.
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business as usual
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After an unpleasant or
unexpected event, this expression means that everything is continuing
in a normal way, in spite of the difficulties.
It was business as usual at the supermarket the day after the hold-up.
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business before pleasure
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This expression means that
it is considered preferable to finish one's work before going to relax
and enjoy oneself.
I'd love to have lunch with you but I've got a report to finish -
business before pleasure I'm afraid!
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business is business
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This is a way of saying that
in financial and commercial matters, friendship or personal feelings
should not be allowed to have any influence.
I'll hire your brother only if he is the best candidate. I'm sorry but
business is business!
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busman's holiday
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A busman's holiday is
when you spend your spare time or your holidays doing the same sort of
activity as you do in your job.
My husband is a chef, so for him time off with the family is often a
busman's holiday!
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butter somebody up
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When you butter someone
up, you flatter them or you are very nice to them, especially if
you want to obtain something.
He was so keen to get the job that he spent his time buttering up the
boss.
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butter wouldn't melt in your
mouth
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If you say that someone
looks as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, you mean that
they look completely innocent, but that they are capable of doing
unpleasant things.
The boy who stole the purse looked as if butter wouldn't melt in his
mouth.
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butterflies in your stomach
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If you have butterflies
in your stomach, you are feeling very nervous.
At the beginning of an exam, I always have butterflies in my stomach.
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buy a lemon
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If buy something, especially
a car, that is defective, unsatisfactory, constantly gives trouble or
stops running after a short time, you
buy a lemon.
The car I bought was a real lemon. It broke down two weeks later.
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by degrees
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If something happens or
develops by degrees, it happens gradually or little by little as
time goes by.
By degrees their business relationship grew into friendship.
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