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Idioms > B Series > Flashcards

B Series Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

Back chat

A

Impudence

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2
Q

Bad blood

A

Ill feeling

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3
Q

Balloon has gone

up

A

Used to imply an impending
change that will make a situation
worse.

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4
Q

Bandied about

A

Talked or gossiped about .

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5
Q

Bank on

someone

A

Depending on someone.

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6
Q

Barge in

A

Interrupt, enter uninvited

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7
Q

Barking up the

wrong tree

A

Making a mistake or a false

assumption

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8
Q

Barrack room

lawyer

A

A person who freely offers legal
and other opinions on subjects
in which he is not qualified

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9
Q

Basket case

A

A person of a nervous

disposition or who is very upset.

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10
Q

Basking in

sunshine

A

Enjoying life

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11
Q

Batting on a

sticky wicket

A

Being in a difficult situation

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12
Q

Be at large

A

Free; uncaptured; usually said

of criminals not in custody

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13
Q

Bear the brunt

A

To get the larger amount or

greater part of something bad.

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14
Q

Beat one hollow

A

To surpass or outdo completely

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15
Q

Beat around the

bush

A

Not getting to the point, avoiding an issue

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16
Q

Beating a hasty

retreat

A

Withdrawing quickly from a

previously held position

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17
Q

Bed of roses

A

A luxurious state

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18
Q

Bee in the

bonnet

A

An obsession.

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19
Q

Behind the

scenes

A

out of public view, effort made

without recognition

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20
Q

Bell the cat

A

To perform a very dangerous or

very difficult task.

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21
Q

Beside the point

A

Irrelevant; of no significance, not

important.

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22
Q

Beside oneself

A

Out of one’s mind with grief or

anger.

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23
Q

Better half

A

A person’s wife or husband.

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24
Q

Between a rock

and a hard place.

A

A choice between two

unsatisfactory options.

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24
Q

Between a rock

and a hard place.

A

A choice between two

unsatisfactory options.

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25
Q

Between the
devil and the
deep blue sea.

A

A choice between two
unsatisfactory options – In
trouble whatever choice is
made. (similar to the above)

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26
Q

Beware of
Greeks bearing
gifts

A

Do not trust an individual who
offers to do something nice for
you without a valid reason.

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27
Q

Beyond the pale

A

Going too far. Beyond what is

acceptable

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28
Q

Bib and tucker

A

Formal dress

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29
Q

Bigwig (big gun)

A

A very important person

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30
Q

Big brother

A

Refers to too much state control

in daily life.

31
Q

Bird’s eye view

A

View from above, overview.

32
Q

Bit between your

teeth

A

To act in a very determined way

33
Q

Bite off more
than you can
chew

A

Take on too much.

34
Q

Bite the hand

that feeds you.

A

Treat somebody badly after they

have helped you.

35
Q

Bite the bullet

A

To get on with something

36
Q

Bite the dust

A

To fail; to give out; to die.

37
Q

Bitter end

A

The final conclusion.

38
Q

Black and white

A

Clear.

39
Q

Black books

A

Held in low opinion

40
Q

Black leg

A

One who continues working
when fellow workers are on
strike.

41
Q

Black sheep

A

An odd or disreputable member
of a group (usually within a
family).
Can be used jokingly

42
Q

Blacklist

A

List of persons under suspicion
or disapproval.
The list may be figurative (not
actually exist).

43
Q

Blind alley

A

Position or situation offering no

hope of success

44
Q

Blow hot and

cold

A

Refers to changeable opinion.

45
Q

Blow one’s own

trumpet.

A

Boast

46
Q

Blow the gaff

A

To reveal a secret, to leave

47
Q

Blurb

A

A promotional description.

48
Q

Bob’s your uncle

A

There you have it!

49
Q

Bold as brass

A

Act with confidence.

50
Q

Bolt from the

blue

A

A sudden surprise.

51
Q

Bone of

contention

A

A point or area of disagreement.

52
Q

Bone to pick

A

Grounds for complaint.

53
Q

Brass tacks

A

The heart of a matter

54
Q

Breadline

A

Poverty

55
Q

Break a leg

A 
Good luck (originates in the
theatre)
56
Q

Break the ice

A

To start a social interchange

57
Q

Break the news

A

Reveal

58
Q

Breathing space

A

Time to think

59
Q

Bright as a

button

A

Intelligent, able to think quickly.

60
Q

Bring home the

bacon

A

Earn money, support a family

Achieve something notable

61
Q

Bring into play

A

To use something

62
Q

Bring to book

A

Bring to justice

63
Q

Burn our bridges

or boats

A

To make decisions or action that

cannot be changed in the future.

64
Q

Burn the candle

at both ends

A

To work very hard (late at night
and early in the morning).
To lead a hectic life, working
hard and playing hard.

65
Q

Burning question

A

Key question.

66
Q

Burn the

midnight oil

A

Work late.

67
Q

Bury the hatchet

A

Make peace.

68
Q

Busman’s

holiday

A

A holiday involving activities

similar to one’s usual work.

69
Q

Butter would not
melt in his mouth
.

A

Said of a person who looks

innocent (but might not be)

70
Q

Buttonhole

A

To detain a person in

conversation.

71
Q

By and large

A

For the most part; normally.

72
Q

By all means

A

Without fail; certainly.

73
Q

By hook or by

crook

A

An expression of determination
to succeed (Literally means by
any means, fair or unfair).

74
Q

By return of post

A

By the next possible mailing.

75
Q

By the board

A

Ruined or lost.

Idioms (22 decks)

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