Idiom alphabetical list

English idioms & idiomatic expressions

Lists of idioms with their meaning and an example of use.

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Alphabetical list of idioms - Ba … Be

back/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!

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!

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, and so they have to start again.

When the plans were refused, it was back to square one for the architect

have your 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.

in the back of beyond

This expression is used to describe an isolated place located far from any town.

It took us hours to find Jack's house. He lives in the back of beyond!

back-of-the envelope calculation

This expression refers to 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.

a 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!

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.

backseat driver

A backseat driver is a passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver.

I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!

a bad egg

To refer to someone as a bad egg means that they cannot be trusted.

I don't want my son to be friends with Bobby Smith. Bobby's a bad egg.

a bad hair day

Originating as a humorous comment about one's hair being unmanageable, this term

has broadened to mean 'a day when everything seems to go wrong'.

What's wrong with Jenny? Is she having a bad hair day?

in bad shape

A person who is in bad shape is in poor physical condition.

I really am in bad shape. I need to get some exercise.

badger someone into doing something

If you badger someone into doing something, you persistently nag or pester them

until you obtain what you want.

Sophie badgered her parent into buying her a new computer.

a 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.

in the bag

If you think something is in the bag, you are almost certain it will be achieved.

An hour before the polling stations closed, victory seemed in the bag for the

Conservative candidate.

(whole) 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.

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.

be/hang in the balance

If something is in the balance, it means 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 have to perform a balancing act between work and family.

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 became a ball and chain - it's too much work!

the 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.

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's really on the ball to head the fund-raising campaign.

start the ball rolling

If you start the ball rolling, you start an activity in which other people will join.

Let's start the ball rolling by calling

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.

that's (a load of) baloney

This term refers to idle talk, pretentious, untrue or insincere statements that nobody

can believe.

That's a load of baloney! I don't believe a word of it.

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 popular, certain stores were quick to jump on the bandwagon

and promote it.

the 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 your head against a brick wall.

If you bang or knock your head against a brick wall, you continue vainly to try and

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.

a bar fly

A bar fly refers to 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!

bare one's heart (or soul)

If you bare your heart or soul to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and

feelings to them.

John couldn't keep things to himself any longer. He decided to bare his soul to his best

friend.

a barefaced liar

Someone who lies easily, with a total lack of shame, is called a barefaced liar.

That barefaced liar stole my watch and said he'd found it!

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.

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 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.

not the 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.

Good school results are not the be-all and end-all of educating a child.

bear the brunt of something

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 something in mind

If someone asks you to bear something in mind, they are telling you to remember

it because it is important.

You must bear in mind that the cost of living is higher in New York.

like a 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 (or someone) 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.

don't beat around the bush

This expression is used to tell somebody to say what they have to say, clearly

and directly, even if it's unpleasant.

Don't beat around the bush. Just tell me whether I've been accepted or not!

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 retreat as soon as he saw the security officer.

beat/knock the living daylights out of someone

If someone beats the daylights out of another, they hit them very hard and repeatedly.

If I catch you stealing again, I'll beat the daylight

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 and 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!

beating 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 not possible.

Mark is beating a dead horse trying to get his money reimbursed. The company

has gone bankrupt!

have a bee in one's bonnet

A person 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

If you say that someone/something is the bee's knees, you think they are exceptionally

good.

If you say "Julie thinks she's the bee's knees", it means that Julie 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 there, done that

This 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.

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 if it had been in the wars.

before you know it/

before you know where you are

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!

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 sounds familiar, but you don'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 means that it is considered unfair

or cruel.

Politicians sometimes use personal information to hit their rivals below the belt.

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 somebody the benefit of the doubt, you choose to believe that that 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 very 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 oneself (with something)

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.

(to the) 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 best of my ability.

one's 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.

put your best foot forward

If someone puts their best foot forward, they do something as fast as they can.

It's a long way to the station, but if I put my best foot forward I should catch the

next train.

the 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.

make the best of things

If you make the best of things, you accept the situation and do what you can in spite of

the difficulties or disadvantages.

The apartment was badly located, but the rent was low, so they decided to take

it and make the best of things.

bet one's 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.

better late than never

When someone does something late, this remark means that it's 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!

get the better of someone

If someone or something gets the better of you, they defeat you

She went on a diet but it didn't last long - her love of chocolate got the better

of her!

get the better of someone

If someone or something gets the better of you, they defeat you

She went on a diet but it didn't last long - her love of chocolate got the better

of her!

think better of something

If you think better of something, you decide not to do something that you

intended doing.

I wanted to go shopping, but when I saw the crowded car park, I thought better

of it.

it's beyond me

The expression "it's beyond me" means: "it's impossible for me to understand"

It's beyond me why Mary wants to marry John.

beyond a/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.

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