B Series Flashcards
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Impudence
Bad blood
Ill feeling
Balloon has gone
up
Used to imply an impending
change that will make a situation
worse.
Bandied about
Talked or gossiped about .
Bank on
someone
Depending on someone.
Barge in
Interrupt, enter uninvited
Barking up the
wrong tree
Making a mistake or a false
assumption
Barrack room
lawyer
A person who freely offers legal
and other opinions on subjects
in which he is not qualified
Basket case
A person of a nervous
disposition or who is very upset.
Basking in
sunshine
Enjoying life
Batting on a
sticky wicket
Being in a difficult situation
Be at large
Free; uncaptured; usually said
of criminals not in custody
Bear the brunt
To get the larger amount or
greater part of something bad.
Beat one hollow
To surpass or outdo completely
Beat around the
bush
Not getting to the point, avoiding an issue
Beating a hasty
retreat
Withdrawing quickly from a
previously held position
Bed of roses
A luxurious state
Bee in the
bonnet
An obsession.
Behind the
scenes
out of public view, effort made
without recognition
Bell the cat
To perform a very dangerous or
very difficult task.
Beside the point
Irrelevant; of no significance, not
important.
Beside oneself
Out of one’s mind with grief or
anger.
Better half
A person’s wife or husband.
Between a rock
and a hard place.
A choice between two
unsatisfactory options.
Between a rock
and a hard place.
A choice between two
unsatisfactory options.
Between the
devil and the
deep blue sea.
A choice between two
unsatisfactory options – In
trouble whatever choice is
made. (similar to the above)
Beware of
Greeks bearing
gifts
Do not trust an individual who
offers to do something nice for
you without a valid reason.
Beyond the pale
Going too far. Beyond what is
acceptable
Bib and tucker
Formal dress
Bigwig (big gun)
A very important person
Big brother
Refers to too much state control
in daily life.
Bird’s eye view
View from above, overview.
Bit between your
teeth
To act in a very determined way
Bite off more
than you can
chew
Take on too much.
Bite the hand
that feeds you.
Treat somebody badly after they
have helped you.
Bite the bullet
To get on with something
Bite the dust
To fail; to give out; to die.
Bitter end
The final conclusion.
Black and white
Clear.
Black books
Held in low opinion
Black leg
One who continues working
when fellow workers are on
strike.
Black sheep
An odd or disreputable member
of a group (usually within a
family).
Can be used jokingly
Blacklist
List of persons under suspicion
or disapproval.
The list may be figurative (not
actually exist).
Blind alley
Position or situation offering no
hope of success
Blow hot and
cold
Refers to changeable opinion.
Blow one’s own
trumpet.
Boast
Blow the gaff
To reveal a secret, to leave
Blurb
A promotional description.
Bob’s your uncle
There you have it!
Bold as brass
Act with confidence.
Bolt from the
blue
A sudden surprise.
Bone of
contention
A point or area of disagreement.
Bone to pick
Grounds for complaint.
Brass tacks
The heart of a matter
Breadline
Poverty
Break a leg
Good luck (originates in the theatre)
Break the ice
To start a social interchange
Break the news
Reveal
Breathing space
Time to think
Bright as a
button
Intelligent, able to think quickly.
Bring home the
bacon
Earn money, support a family
Achieve something notable
Bring into play
To use something
Bring to book
Bring to justice
Burn our bridges
or boats
To make decisions or action that
cannot be changed in the future.
Burn the candle
at both ends
To work very hard (late at night
and early in the morning).
To lead a hectic life, working
hard and playing hard.
Burning question
Key question.
Burn the
midnight oil
Work late.
Bury the hatchet
Make peace.
Busman’s
holiday
A holiday involving activities
similar to one’s usual work.
Butter would not
melt in his mouth
.
Said of a person who looks
innocent (but might not be)
Buttonhole
To detain a person in
conversation.
By and large
For the most part; normally.
By all means
Without fail; certainly.
By hook or by
crook
An expression of determination
to succeed (Literally means by
any means, fair or unfair).
By return of post
By the next possible mailing.
By the board
Ruined or lost.
