C
Cake's not worth the candle
If someone says that the cake's not worth the candle, they mean that the result will not be worth the effort put in to achieve it.
Calf lick
A calf lick is the weird parting in your fringe where your hair grows in a different direction, usually to one side.
Call a spade a spade
A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience.
Call on the carpet.
If you are called on the carpet, you are summoned for a reprimand by superiors or others in power.
Call the dogs off
If someone calls off their dogs, they stop attacking or criticising someone.
Call the shots
If you call the shots, you are in charge and tell people what to do.
Call the tune
The person who calls the tune makes the important decisions about something.
Can of worms
If an action can create serious problems, it is opening a can of worms.
Can't dance and it's too wet to plow
(USA) When you can't dance and it's too wet to plow, you may as well do something because you can't or don't have the opportunity to do anything else.
Can't do it for toffee
If you can't so something for toffee, you are incapable of doing something properly or to any sort of standard.
Can't hold a candle
If something can't hold a candle to something else, it is much worse.
Canary in a coal mine
(UK) A canary in a coal mine is an early warning of danger.
Card up your sleeve
If you have a card up your sleeve, you have a surprise plan or idea that you are keeping back until the time is right.
Carpetbagger
A carpetbagger is an opportunist without any scruples or ethics, or a politican who wants to represent a place they have no connection with.
Carrot and stick
If someone offers a carrot and stick, they offer an incentive to do something combined with the threat of punishment.
Carry the can
If you carry the can, you take the blame for something, even though you didn't do it or are only partly at fault.
Case by case
If things are done case by case, each situation or issue is handled separately on its own merits and demerits.
Cash in your chips
If you cash in your chips, you sell something to get what profit you can because you think its value is going to fall. It can also mean 'to die'.
Cast doubt on
If you make other people not sure about a matter, then you have cast doubt on it.
Cast pearls before swine
If you cast pearls before swine, you offer something of value to someone who doesn't appreciate it- 'swine' are 'pigs'.
Cast sheep's eyes at
If you cast sheep's eyes at at someone, you look lovingly or with longing at them.
Cast your mind back
If somebody tells you to cast your mind back on something, they want you to think about something that happened in the past, but which you might not remember very well, and to try to remember as much as possible.
Cast your net widely
If you cast your net widely, you use a wide range of sources when trying to find something.
Castles in the air
Plans that are impractical and will never work out are castles in the air.
Cat among the pigeons
If something or someone puts, or sets or lets, the cat among the pigeons, they create a disturbance and cause trouble.
Cat burglar
A cat burglar is a skillful thief who breaks into places without disturbing people or setting off alarms.
Cat fur and kitty britches
(USA) When I used to ask my grandma what was for dinner, she would say "cat fur and kitty britches". This was her Ozark way of telling me that I would get what she cooked. (Ozark is a region in the center of the United States)
Cat got your tongue?
If someone asks if the cat has got your tongue, they want to know why you are not speaking when they think you should.
Cat nap
If you have a short sleep during the day, you are cat napping.
Cat's lick
(Scot) A cat's lick is a very quick wash.
Cat's pajamas
(USA) Something that is the cat's pajamas is excellent.
Cat's whiskers
Something excellent is the cat's whiskers.
Catch as catch can
This means that people should try to get something any way they can.
Catch someone red-handed
If someone is caught red-handed, they are found doing something wrong or illegal.
Caught with your hand in the cookie jar
(USA) If someone is caught with his or her hand in the cookie jar, he or she is caught doing something wrong.
Chalk and cheese
Things, or people, that are like chalk and cheese are very different and have nothing in common.
Change horses in midstream
If people change horses in midstream, they change plans or leaders when they are in the middle of something, even though it may be very risky to do so.
Change of heart
If you change the way you think or feel about something, you have a change of heart.
Change tack
If you change tack, you use a different method for dealing with something.
Change your tune
If someone changes their ideas or the way they talk about them, they change their tune.
Charity begins at home
This idiom means that family members are more important than anyone else, and should be the focus of a person's efforts.
Chase rainbows
If someone chases rainbows, they try to do something that they will never achieve.
Cheap as chips
(UK) If something is very inexpensive, it is as cheap as chips.
Cheap at half the price
If something's cheap at half the price, it's very cheap indeed.
Cheap shot
A cheap shot is an unprincipled criticism.
Cheat death
If someone cheats death, they narrowly avoid a major problem or accident.
Cheek by jowl
If things or people are cheek by jowl, they are very close together.
Cherry pick
If people cherry pick, they choose things that support their position, while ignoring things that contradict it.
Chew on a bone.
If someone is chewing on a bone, he or she is thinking about something intently.
Chew the cud
If you chew the cud, you think carefully about something.
Chew the fat
If you chew the fat with someone, you talk at leisure with them.
Chickenfeed
If something is small or unimportant, especially money, it is chickenfeed.
Chinese walls
Chinese walls are regulatory information barriers that aim to stop the flow of information that could be misused, especially in financial corporations.
Chinese whispers
(UK) When a story is told from person to person, especially if it is gossip or scandal, it inevitably gets distorted and exaggerated. This process is called Chinese whispers.
Chip off the old block
If someone is a chip off the old block, they closely resemble one or both of the parents in character.
Chip on your shoulder
If someone has a chip on their shoulder, they are resentful about something and feel that they have been treated badly.
Chop and change
If things chop and change, they keep changing, often unexpectedly.
Cigarette paper
If you cannot get or put a cigarette paper between people, they are so closely bonded that nothing will separate them or their positions on issues.
Circle the wagons
(USA) If you circle the wagons, you stop communicating with people who don't think the same way as you to avoid their ideas. It can also mean to bring everyone together to defend a group against an attack.
Class act
Someone who's a class act is exceptional in what they do.
Clean as a whistle
If something is as clean as a whistle, it is extremely clean, spotless. It can also be used to mean 'completely', though this meaning is less common nowadays.
Clean bill of health
If something or someone has a clean bill of health, then there's nothing wrong; everything's fine.
Clean break
If you make a clean break, you break away completely from something.
Clean hands
Someone with clean hands, or who keeps their hands clean, is not involved in illegal or immoral activities.
Clean sheet
When someone has a clean sheet, they have got no criminal record or problems affecting their reputation. In football and other sports, a goalkeeper has a clean sheet when let no goals in.
Clean slate
If you start something with a clean slate, then nothing bad from your past is taken into account.
Clean sweep
If someone makes a clean sweep, they win absolutely everything in a competition or contest.
Clear as a bell
If something is as clear as a bell, it is very clear or easy to understand.
Clear as mud
If something is as clear as mud, then it is very confusing and unclear.
Cliffhanger
If something like a sports match or an election is a cliffhanger, then the result is so close that it cannot be predicted and will only be known at the very end.
Climb on the bandwagon
When people climb on the bandwagon they do something because it is popular and everyone else is doing it.
Cling to hope
If people cling to hope, they continue to hope though the chances of success are very small.
Close at hand
If something is close at hand, it is nearby or conveniently located.
Close but no cigar
(USA) If you are close but no cigar, you are close to success, but have not got there.
Close call
If the result of something is a close call, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the parties involved and to say who has won or whatever.
Close shave
If you have a close shave, you very nearly have a serious accident or get into trouble.
Close the stable door after the horse has bolted
If people try to fix something after the problem has occurred, they are trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. 'Close the barn door after the horse has bolted' is alternative, often used in American English.
Close to your heart
If something is close to your heart, you care a lot about it. ('Dear to your heart' is an alternative.)
Closed book to me
If a subject is a closed book to you, it is something that you don't understand or know anything about.
Cloud cuckoo land
If someone has ideas or plans that are completely unrealistic, they are living on cloud cuckoo land.
Cloud nine
If you are on cloud nine, you are extremely happy. ('cloud seven' is a less common alternative)
Cloud of suspicion
If a cloud of suspicion hangs over an individual, it means that they are not believed or are distrusted.
Cloud on the horizon
If you can see a problem ahead, you can call it a cloud on the horizon.
Clutch at straws
If someone is in serious trouble and tries anything to help them, even though their chances of success are probably nil, they are clutching at straws.
Coals to Newcastle
(UK) Taking, bringing, or carrying coals to Newcastle is doing something that is completely unnecessary.
Cock and bull story
A cock and bull story is a lie someone tells that is completely unbelievable.
Cock in the henhouse
This is used to describe a male in an all-female environment.
Cold day in hell
This is used as a prediction there is no chance some event or condition will ever happen.'There will be a cold day in hell before he manages it.'
Cold feet
If you get cold feet about something, you lose the courage to do it.
Cold fish
A cold fish is a person who doesn't show how they feel.
Cold light of day
If you see things in the cold light of day, you see them as they really are, not as you might want them to be.
Cold shoulder
If you give or show someone the cold shoulder, you are deliberately unfriendly and unco-operative towards them.
Cold sweat
If something brings you out in a cold sweat, it frightens you a lot.
Cold turkey
If someone suddenly stops taking drugs, instead of slowly cutting down, they do cold turkey.
Collateral damage
Accidental or unintended damage or casualties are collateral damage.
Collect dust
If something is collecting dust, it isn't being used any more.
Come a cropper
(UK) Someone whose actions or lifestyle will inevitably result in trouble is going to come a cropper.
Come clean
If someone comes clean about something, they admit to deceit or wrongdoing.
Come hell or high water
If someone says they'll do something come hell or high water, they mean that nothing will stop them, no matter what happens.
Come out in the wash
If something will come out in the wash, it won't have any permanent negative effect.
Come out of the woodwork
When things come out of the woodwork, they appear unexpectedly. ('Crawl out of the woodwork' is also used.)
Come out of your shell
If someone comes out of their shell, they stop being shy and withdrawn and become more friendly and sociable.
Come rain or shine
If I say I'll be at a place come rain or shine, I mean that I can be relied on to turn up; nothing, not even the vagaries of British weather, will deter me or stop me from being there.
Come to bear
If something comes to bear on you, you start to feel the pressure or effect of it.
Come to grips
If you come to grips with a problem or issue, you face up to it and deal with it.
Come to heel
If someone comes to heel, they stop behaving in a way that is annoying to someone in authority and start being obedient.
Come up roses
If things come up roses, they produce a positive result, especially when things seemed to be going badly at first.
Come up smelling of roses
(UK) If someone comes up smelling of roses, they emerge from a situation with their reputation undamaged.
Come up trumps
When someone is said to have "come up trumps", they have completed an activity successfully or produced a good result, especially when they were not expected to.
Come what may
If you're prepared to do something come what may, it means that nothing will stop or distract you, no matter how hard or difficult it becomes.
Come with the territory
If something comes with the territory, it is part of a job or responsibility and just has to be accepted, even if unpleasant.
Comes with the territory
If something comes with the territory, especially when undesirable, it is automatically included with something else, like a job, responsibility, etc.('Goes with the territory' is also used.)
Comfort zone
It is the temperature range in which the body doesn't shiver or sweat, but has an idiomatic sense of a place where people feel comfortable, where they can avoid the worries of the world. It can be physical or mental.
Constitution of an ox
If someone has the constitution of an ox, they are less affected than most people by things like tiredness, illness, alcohol, etc.
Cook someone's goose
If you cook someone's goose, you ruin their plans.
Cook up a storm
If someone cooks up a storm, they cause a big fuss or generate a lot of talk about something.
Cool your heels
If you leave someone to cool their heels, you make them wait until they have calmed down.
Corner a market
If a business is dominant in an area and unlikely to be challenged by other companies, it has cornered the market.
Couch potato
A couch potato is an extremely idle or lazy person who chooses to spend most of their leisure time horizontal in front of the TV and eats a diet that is mainly junk food.
Could eat a horse
If you are very hungry, you could eat a horse.
Couldn't give two hoots
If you couldn't give two hoots about something, you don't care at all about it.
Country mile
(USA) A country mile is used to describe a long distance.
Cover all the bases
If you cover all the bases, you deal with all aspects of a situation or issue, or anticipate all possibilities. ('Cover all bases' is also used.)
Crack a nut with a sledgehammer
If you use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, you apply too much force to achieve a result. ('Jackhammer' is also used.)
Crash a party
If you crash a party, or are a gatecrasher, you go somewhere you haven't been invited to.
Cream of the crop
The cream of the crop is the best there is.
Cream rises to the top
A good person or idea cannot go unnoticed for long, just as cream poured in coffee or tea eventually rises to the top.
Creature comforts
If a person said "I hate camping. I don't like giving up my creature comforts." the person would be referring, in particular, to the comfortable things he/she would have at home but not when camping. At home, for example, he/she would have complete shelter from the weather, a television, a nice comfortable warm bed, the ability to take a warm bath or shower, comfortable lounge chairs to relax in and so on. The person doesn't like giving up the material and psychological benefits of his/her normal life.
Crème de la crème
The crème de la crème is the very best of something.
Crocodile tears
If someone cries crocodile tears, they pretend to be upset or affected by something.
Crooked as a dog's hind leg
Someone who is very dishonest is as crooked as a dog's hind leg.
Cross that bridge when you come to it
If you will cross that bridge when you come to it, you will deal with a problem when it arises, but not until that point
Cross to bear
If someone has a cross to bear, they have a heavy burden of responsibility or a problem that they alone must cope with.
Crunch time
When people, companies, etc, have to make an important decision that will have a considerable effect on their future, it is crunch time.
Cry wolf
If someone cries wolf, they raise a false alarm about something.
Cry your eyes out
If you cry your eyes out, you cry uncontrollably.
Cry-baby
A cry-baby is a person who gets emotional and cries too easily.
Cuckoo in the nest
Is an issue or a problem, etc, is a cuckoo in the nest, it grows quickly and crowds out everything else.
Curate's egg
(UK) If something is a bit of a curate's egg, it is only good in parts.
Curiosity killed the cat
As cats are naturally curious animals, we use this expression to suggest to people that excessive curiosity is not necessarily a good thing, especially where it is not their business.
Curry favour
If people try to curry favour, they try to get people to support them. ('Curry favor' is the American spelling.)
Curve ball
(USA) If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive.
Cut and dried
If something is cut and dried, then everything has already been decided and, in the case of an opinion, might be a little stale and predictable.
Cut and run
If people cut and run, they take what they can get and leave before they lose everything.
Cut corners
If people try to do something as cheaply or as quickly as possible, often sacrificing quality, they are cutting corners.
Cut down the tall poppies
(AU) If people cut down the tall poppies, they criticise people who stand out from the crowd.
Cut it fine
If you cut it fine, you only just manage to do something- at the very last moment. 'Cut things fine' is the same. 'Cut it a bit fine' is a common variation.
Cut off your nose to spite your face
If you cut off your nose to spite your face, you do something rash or silly that ends up making things worse for you, often because you are angry or upset.
Cut the Gordian knot
If someone cuts the Gordian knot, they solve a very complex problem in a simple way.
Cut the mustard
(UK) If somebody or something doesn't cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard.
Cut to the chase
If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something without delay.
Cut to the quick
If someone's cut to the quick by something, they are very hurt and upset indeed.
Cut your coat according to your cloth
If you cut your coat according to your cloth, you only buy things that you have sufficient money to pay for.
Cut your teeth on
The place where you gain your early experience is where you cut your teeth.
Cute as a bug
(USA) If something is as cute as a bug, it is sweet and endearing.
Cuts no ice
If something cuts no ice, it doesn't have any effect or influence.
Cutting edge
Something that is cutting edge is at the forefront of progress in its area.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
English Idioms Start With "C"
English Idioms Start With "B"
B
Babe in arms
A babe in arms is a very young child, or a person who is very young to be holding a position.
Babe in the woods
A babe in the woods is a naive, defenceless, young person.
Baby boomer
(USA) A baby boomer is someone born in the years after the end of the Second World War, a period when the population was growing very fast.
Back burner
If an issue is on the back burner, it is being given low priority.
Back foot
(UK) If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position.
Back number
Something that's a back number is dated or out of fashion.
Back the wrong horse
If you back the wrong horse, you give your support to the losing side in something.
Back to back
If things happen back to back, they are directly one after another.
Back to square one
If you are back to square one, you have to start from the beginning again.
Back to the drawing board
If you have to go back to the drawing board, you have to go back to the beginning and start something again.
Back to the salt mine
If someone says they have to go back to the salt mine, they have to return to work.
Back to the wall
If you have your back to the wall, you are in a difficult situation with very little room for manoeuvre.
Backseat driver
A backseat driver is an annoying person who is fond of giving advice to the person performing a task or doing something, especially when the advice is either wrong or unwelcome.
Bad blood
If people feel hate because of things that happened in the past, there is bad blood between them.
Bad egg
A person who cannot be trusted is a bad egg. Good egg is the opposite.
Bad shape
If something's in bad shape, it's in bad condition. If a person's in bad shape, they are unfit or unhealthy.
Bad taste in your mouth
If something leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth, you feel there is something wrong or bad about it.
Bad workers always blame their tools
"A bad worker always blames their tools" - If somebody does a job badly or loses in a game and claims that they were let down by their equipment, you can use this to imply that this was not the case.
Bag of bones
If someone is a bag of bones, they are very underweight.
Bag of nerves
If someone is a bag of nerves, they are very worried or nervous.
Baker's dozen
A Baker's dozen is 13 rather than 12.
Bald as a coot
A person who is completely bald is as bald as a coot.
Ball is in your court
If the ball is in your court, it is up to you to make the next decision or step.
Ballpark figure
A ballpark figure is a rough or approximate number (guesstimate) to give a general idea of something, like a rough estimate for a cost, etc.
Banana republic
Banana republic is a term used for small countries that are dependent on a single crop or resource and governed badly by a corrupt elite.
Banana skin
(UK) A banana skin is something that is an embarrassment or causes problems.
Bandit territory
An area or an industry, profession, etc, where rules and laws are ignored or flouted is bandit territory.
Baptism of fire
A baptism of fire was a soldier's first experience of shooting. Any unpleasant experience undergone, usually where it is also a learning experience, is a baptism of fire.
Bar fly
A bar fly is a person who spends a lot of time drinking in different bars and pubs.
Bare your heart
If you bare your heart to someone, you tell them you personal and private feelings. ('Bare your soul' is an alternative form of the idiom.)
Barefaced liar
A barefaced liar is one who displays no shame about lying even if they are exposed.
Bark is worse than their bite
Someone who's bark is worse than their bite may well get angry and shout, but doesn't take action.
Barking up the wrong tree
If you are barking up the wrong tree, it means that you have completely misunderstood something or are totally wrong.
Barkus is willing
This idiom means that someone is willing to get married.
Barrack-room lawyer
(UK) A barrack-room lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about.
Barrel of laughs
If someone's a barrel of laughs, they are always joking and you find them funny.
Basket case
If something is a basket case, it is so bad that it cannot be helped.
Bat an eyelid
If someone doesn't bat an eyelid, they don't react or show any emotion when surprised, shocked, etc.
Batten down the hatches
If you batten down the hatches, you prepare for the worst that could happen to you.
Battle of nerves
A battle of nerves is a situation where neither side in a conflict or dispute is willing to back down and is waiting for the other side to weaken. ('A war of nerves' is an alternative form.)
Be that as it may
Be that as it may is an expression which means that, while you are prepared to accept that there is some truth in what the other person has just said, it's not going to change your opinions in any significant manner.
Be up the spout
(UK) If a woman is up the spout, she is pregnant.
Bean counter
A bean counter is an accountant.
Bear fruit
If something bears fruit, it produces positive results.
Bear the brunt
People who bear the brunt of something endure the worst of something bad.
Beard the lion in his own den
If you confront a powerful or dangerous rival on their territory, you are bearding the lion in his own den.
Beat about the bush
If someone doesn't say clearly what they mean and try to make it hard to understand, they are beating about (around) the bush.
Beat someone to the draw
(USA) If you beat someone to the draw, you do something before they do.
Beat swords into ploughshares
If people beat swords into ploughshares, they spend money on humanitarian purposes rather than weapons. (The American English spelling is 'plowshares')
Beat the daylights out of someone
If someone beats the daylights out of another person, they hit them repeatedly. ('Knock' can also be used and it can be made even stronger by saying 'the living daylights'.)
Beat to the punch
If you beat someone to the punch, you act before them and gain an advantage.
Beating a dead horse
(USA) If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're beating a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder means that different people will find different things beautiful and that the differences of opinion don't matter greatly.
Beauty is only skin deep
This idiom means that appearances can be deceptive and something that seems or looks good may turn out to be bad.
Beck and call
Someone who does everything for you, no matter when you ask, is at your beck and call.
Bedroom eyes
Someone with bedroom eyes has a sexy look in their eyes.
Bee in your bonnet
If someone is very excited about something, they have a bee in their bonnet.
Bee's Knees
If something is the bee's knees, it's outstanding or the best in its class.
Beeline for
If you make a beeline for a place, you head there directly.
Been in the wars
(UK) If someone has been in the wars, they have been hurt or look as if they have been in a struggle.
Beer and skittles
(UK) People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about self-indulgence and pleasure.
Before the ink is dry
If people make an agreement or contract and then the situation changes very quickly, it changes before the ink is dry.
Before you can say Jack Robinson
The term Jack Robinson represents 'a short amount of time'. When you do something before you can say Jack Robinson, you do it very quickly.
Beg the question
In philosophy "to beg the question" is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked.
Beggars can't be choosers
This idiom means that people who are in great need must accept any help that is offered, even if it is not a complete solution to their problems.
Behind bars
When someone is behind bars, they are in prison.
Behind closed doors
If something happens away from the public eye, it happens behind closed doors.
Behind someone's back
If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without telling them.
Behind the times
Someone that is behind the times is old-fashioned and has ideas that are regarded as out-dated.
Believe in the hereafter
A belief in the hereafter is a belief in the afterlife, or life after death. It is, therefore, associated with religions and the soul's journey to heaven or to hell, whichever way being just deserts for the person based on how they led their life.
Bells and whistles
Bells and whistles are attractive features that things like computer programs have, though often a bit unnecessary.
Bells on
(USA) To be somewhere with bells on means to arrive there happy and delighted to attend.
Belly up
If things go belly up, they go badly wrong.
Below par
If something isn't up to standard, or someone isn't feeling or doing very well, they are below par.
Below the belt
If someone says something that is cruel or unfair, it is below the belt, like the illegal punches in boxing.
Belt and braces
(UK) Someone who wears belt and braces is very cautious and takes no risks.
Belt and suspenders
(USA) Someone who wears belt and suspenders is very cautious and takes no risks.
Bend over backwards
If someone bends over backwards, they do everything they can to help someone.
Benjamin of the family
The Benjamin of the family is the youngest child.
Beside the point
If something is beside the point, it's not relevant to the matter being discussed or considered.
Beside themselves
If people are beside themselves, they are very worried or emotional about something.
Beside yourself
If you are beside yourself, you are extremely angry.
Best of a bad bunch
The best that could be obtained from a list of options that were not exactly what was required.
Best of both worlds
If you have the best of both worlds, you benefit from different things that do not normally go together.
Best thing since sliced bread
If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is excellent. ('The greatest thing since sliced bread' is also used.)
Bet your bottom dollar
(USA) If you can bet your bottom dollar on something, you can be absolutely sure about it.
Better late than never
This idiom suggests that doing something late is better than not doing it at all.
Better safe than sorry
This idiom is used to recommend being cautious rather than taking a risk.
Better than a stick in the eye
If something is better than a stick in the eye, it isn't very good, but it is better than nothing.
Better the devil you know
This is the shortened form of the full idiom, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't', and means that it is often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a risk with an unknown person or thing.
Between a rock and a hard place
If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a position where you have to choose between unpleasant alternatives, and your choice might cause you problems; you will not be able to satisfy everyone.
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma; a difficult choice.
Between the lines
If you read between the lines, you find the real message in what you're reading or hearing, a meaning that is not available from a literal interpretation of the words.
Between you and me and the cat's whiskers
This idiom is used when telling someone something that you want them to keep secret.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt
If something's beyond a shadow of a doubt, then absolutely no doubts remain about it.
Beyond belief
If people behave in such a way that you find it almost impossible to accept that they actually did it, then you can say that their behaviour was beyond belief.
Beyond our ken
If something's beyond your ken, it is beyond your understanding.
Beyond the pale
If something's beyond the pale, it is too extreme to be acceptable morally or socially.
Big Apple
(USA) The Big Apple is New York.
Big bucks
If someone is making big bucks, they are making a lot of money.
Big cheese
The big cheese is the boss.
Big fish
An important person in a company or an organisation is a big fish.
Big fish in a small pond
A big fish in a small pond is an important person in a small place or organisation.
Big hitter
A big hitter is someone who commands a lot of respect and is very important in their field.
Big nose
If someone has a big nose, it means they are excessively interested in everyone else's business.
Big picture
The big picture of something is the overall perspective or objective, not the fine detail.
Big time
This can be used to with the meaning 'very much'- if you like something big time, you like it a lot.
Bigger fish to fry
If you aren't interested in something because it isn't important to you and there are more important things for you to do, you have bigger fish to fry.
Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' is a proverb meaning that it is better to have something that is certain than take a risk to get more, where you might lose everything.
Bird's eye view
If you have a bird's eye view of something, you can see it perfectly clearly.
Bird-brain
Someone who has a bird-brain, or is bird-brained, is stupid.
Birds and the bees
If a child is taught about the birds and the bees, they are taught about sex.
Birds of a feather flock together
This idiom means that people with similar interests will stick together.
Birthday suit
If you are in your birthday suit, you are naked.
Bit between your teeth
If you take or have the bit between your teeth, you take or have control of a situation. (Bit = piece of metal in a horse's mouth)
Bit part
If someone has a small or unimportant role in something, they have a bit part.
Bit player
A bit player has a small or unimportant role in something.
Bite off more than you can chew
If you bite off more than you can chew, you take on more responsibilities than you can manage. 'Don't bite off more than you can chew' is often used to advise people against agreeing to more than they can handle.
Bite the bullet
If you have to bite the bullet, you have to accept or face something unpleasant because it cannot be avoided.
Bite the dust
This is a way of saying that somebody has died, especially if they are killed violently like a soldier in battle.
Bite your lip
If you have to bite your lip, you have to make a conscious effort not to react or to keep quiet about something that displeases you.
Bite your tongue
If you bite your tongue, you refrain from speaking because it is socially or otherwise better not to.
Bits and bobs
Bits and bobs are small, remnant articles and things- the same as odds and ends.
Bitter end
If you do something to the bitter end, you do it to the very end, no matter how unsuccessful you are.
Bitter pill to swallow
A bitter pill to swallow is something that is hard to accept.
Black and white
When it is very clear who or what is right and wrong, then the situation is black and white.
Black as Newgate's knocker
(UK) If things are as black as Newgate's knocker, they are very bad. Newgate was an infamous prison in England, so its door knocker meant trouble.
Black hole
If there is a black hole in financial accounts, money has disappeared.
Black sheep
Someone who is the black sheep doesn't fit into a group or family because their behaviour or character is not good enough.
Blackball
If you vote against allowing someone to be a member of an organisation or group, you are blackballing him or her.
Blank cheque
If you are given a blank cheque, you are allowed to use as much money as you need for a project.
Bleeding edge
Similar to 'cutting edge', this implies a technology or process that is at the forefront or beyond current practices. However, because it is unproven, it is often dangerous to use (hence the 'bleeding').
Bleeding heart
A bleeding heart is a person who is excessively sympathetic towards other people.
Blessing in disguise
If some bad luck or misfortune ultimately results in something positive, it's a blessing in disguise.
Blind as a bat
If you are in total darkness and can't see anything at all, you are as blind as a bat.
Blind leading the blind
When the blind are leading the blind, the people in charge of something don't know anything more than the people they are in charge of, when they should have greater knowledge.
Blink of an eye
If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens so fast it is almost impossible to notice it.
Blood and thunder
An emotional speech or performance is full of blood and thunder.
Blood from a turnip
It is impossible to get something from someone if they don't have it, just as you cannot get blood from a turnip.
Blood is thicker than water
This idiom means that family relationships are stronger than others.
Blood is worth bottling
(AU) If an Australian says to you "Your blood is worth bottling", he/she is complimenting or praising you for doing something or being someone very special.
Blood out of a stone
If something is like getting blood out of a stone, it is very difficult indeed.
Blood, sweat and tears
If something will take blood, sweat and tears, it will be very difficult and will require a lot of effort and sacrifice.
Blow a gasket
If you blow a gasket, you get very angry.
Blow by blow
A blow-by-blow description gives every detail in sequence.
Blow hot and cold
If you blow hot and cold on an idea, your attitude and opinion keeps changing; one minute you are for it, the next you are against.
Blow me down
People say '(well,) blow me down' when you have just told them something surprising, shocking or unexpected. ('Blow me down with a feather' is also used.)
Blow off steam
(USA) If you blow off steam, you express your anger or frustration.
Blow out of the water
If something, like an idea, is blown out of the water, it is destroyed or defeated comprehensively.
Blow smoke
(USA) If people blow smoke, the exaggerate or say things that are not true, usually to make themselves look better.
Blow the cobwebs away
If you blow the cobwebs away, you make sweeping changes to something to bring fresh views and ideas in.
Blow your mind
Something that will blow your mind is something extraordinary that will amaze you beyond explanation.
Blow your own trumpet
If someone blows their own trumpet, they boast about their talents and achievements.
Blow your stack
If you blow your stack, you lose your temper.
Blow your top
If someone blows their top, they lose their temper.
Blue blood
Someone with blue blood is royalty.
Blue-eyed boy
Someone's blue-eyed boy is their favourite person.
Bob's your uncle
(UK) This idiom means that something will be successful: Just tell him that I gave you his name and Bob's your uncle- he'll help you.
Body politic
A group of people organised under a single government or authority (national or regional) is a body politic.
Bold as brass
Someone who is as bold as brass is very confident and not worried about how other people will respond or about being caught.
Bolt from the blue
If something happens unexpectedly and suddenly, it is a bolt from the blue.
Bone of contention
If there is an issue that always causes tension and arguments, it is a bone of contention.
Bone to pick
If you have a bone to pick with someone, you are annoyed about something they have done and want to tell them how you feel.
Boot is on the other foot
When the boot's on the other foot, a person who was in a position of weakness is now in a position of strength.
Born to the purple
Someone who is born to the purple is born in a royal or aristocratic family. ("Born in the purple" is also used.)
Born with a silver spoon in your mouth
If you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you are born into a rich family.
Bottom line
In accountancy, the bottom line is net income, and is used idiomatically to mean the conclusion.
Bounce off the walls
If someone's bouncing off the walls, they are very excited about something.
Bouquet of orchids
Id someone deserves a bouquet of orchids, they have done something worthy of praise.
Box and dice
Box and dice means everything.
Box clever
(UK) If you box clever, you use your intelligence to get what you want, even if you have to cheat a bit.
Boxing and coxing
If people are boxing and coxing, they are sharing responsibilities so that one of them is working while the other isn't. It can also be used when couples are sharing a house, but their relationship has broken down and when one is at home, the other stays out.
Boys in blue
The boys in blue are the police.
Brain surgery
If something is not brain surgery, it isn't very complicated or difficult to understand or master.
Brass monkey
If it's brass monkey weather, or cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey, it is extremely cold.
Brass neck
(UK) Someone who has the brass neck to do something has no sense of shame about what they do.
Brass tacks
If you get down to brass tacks, you get down to the real business.
Bread and butter
Bread and butter issues are ones that affect people directly and in a very important way.
Breadwinner
Used to describe the person that earns the most money. For example - She's the breadwinner in the family.
Break a leg
This idiom is a way of wishing someone good luck.
Break even
If you break even, you don't make any money, but you don't lose any either.
Break ground
If you break ground, or break new ground, you make progress, taking things into a new area or going further than anyone has gone before. 'Ground-breaking' is used an adjective.
Break the back of the beast
If you break the back of the beast, you accomplish a challenge.
Break the ice
When you break the ice, you get over any initial embarrassment or shyness when you meet someone for the first time and start conversing.
Break your duck
(UK) If you break your duck, you do something for the first time.
Break your heart
If someone upsets you greatly, they break your heart, especially if they end a relationship.
Breathe down your neck
If someone follows you or examines what you're doing very closely, they are breathing down your neck.
Breathe your last
When you breathe your last, you die.
Bridge the gap
If you bridge the gap, you make a connection where there is a great difference.
Bright as a button
A person who is as bright as a button is very intelligent or smart.
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
If someone's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, they are full of energy and enthusiasm.
Brighten up the day
If something brightens up your day, something happens that makes you feel positive and happy all day long.
Bring a knife to a gunfight
If someone brings a knife to a gunfight, they are very badly prepared for something.
Bring home the bacon
A person who brings home the bacon earns the money that a family live on.
Bring someone to book
If somebody is brought to book, they are punished or made to account for something they have done wrong.
Bring someone to heel
If you bring someone to heel, you make them obey you.('Call someone to heel' is also used.)
Bring the house down
Something that brings the house down is acclaimed and praised vigorously.
Broad church
If an organisation is described as broad church, it is tolerant and accepting of different opinions and ideas.
Broad strokes
If something is described or defined with broad stokes, then only an outline is given, without fine details.
Broke as a joke and it ain't funny
This idiom in my opinion describes how it's not funny to be without a cent and just uses broke and joke as rhyming words that help explain this idiom a lot better.
Brown nose
When someone tries to make themselves popular with somebody, usually in a position of authority, especially by flattering them, they are brown nosing.
Brownie points
If you try to earn Brownie points with someone, you do things you know will please them.
Brush under the carpet
If you brush something under the carpet, you are making an attempt to ignore it, or hide it from others.
Bull in a China shop
If someone behaves like a bull in a China shop, they are clumsy when they should be careful.
Bull session
If you have a bull session, you have an informal group discussion about something.
Bull-headed
If you're a bull-headed, you're stubborn or inflexible.
Bun in the oven
If a woman has a bun in the oven, she is pregnant.
Bundle of nerves
Someone who is a bundle of nerves is very worried or nervous.
Burn the candle at both ends
Someone who burns the candle at both ends lives life at a hectic pace, doing things which are likely to affect their health badly.
Burn the midnight oil
If you stay up very late working or studying, you burn the midnight oil.
Burn your bridges
If you burn your bridges, you do something that makes it impossible to go back from the position you have taken.
Burning question
A burning question is something we all want to know about.
Burst at the seams
To be filled to or beyond normal capacity: This room will be bursting at the seams when all the guests arrive.
Bury the hatchet
If you bury the hatchet, you make peace with someone and stop arguing or fighting.
Bury your head in the sand
If someone buries their head in the sand, they ignore something that is obviously wrong.
Busman's holiday
A busman's holiday is when you spend your free time doing the same sort of work as you do in your job.
Busted flush
Someone or something that had great potential but ended up a useless failure is a busted flush.
Busy as a beaver
If you're as busy as a beaver, you're very busy indeed.
Busy as a bee
If you are as busy as a bee, you are very busy indeed.
Butter wouldn't melt in their mouth
If someone looks as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, they look very innocent.
Butterflies in your stomach
The nervous feeling before something important or stressful is known as butterflies in your stomach.
Button your lip
If you button your lip, you keep quiet and don't speak. It is also used as a way of telling someone to shut up.
By a hair's breadth
If a person escapes from some danger by a hair's breadth, they only just managed to avoid it. The breadth is the thickness of a hair, so they probably feel somewhat lucky because the margin between success and what could easily have been failure was so close.
By a long chalk
(UK) If you beat somebody by a long chalk, you win easily and comfortably.
By a whisker
If you do something by a whisker, you only just manage to do it and come very near indeed to failing.
By cracky
A term used by rural folks in years past to emphasize a matter of importance or urgency. An example: "By cracky, you need to get out there in the field with that mule and plow and finish the sod-busting before dark."
By dint of
This means 'as a result of' or 'because of': It would be good to think he'd risen to position of Chief Executive by dint of hard work.
By heart
If you learn something by heart, you learn it word for word.
By hook or by crook
If you are prepared to do something by hook or by crook, you are willing to do anything, good or bad, to reach your goal.
By leaps and bounds
Something that happens by leaps and bounds happens very quickly in big steps.
By the back door
If something is started or introduced by the back door, then it is not done openly or by following the proper procedures.
By the book
If you do something by the book, you do it exactly as you are supposed to.
By the same token
If someone applies the same rule to different situations, they judge them by the same token: If things go well, he's full of praise, but, by the same token, when things go wrong he gets furious.
By the seat of your pants
If you do something by the seat of your pants, you do it without help from anyone.
By the skin of your teeth
If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it and come very near indeed to failing.
By word of mouth
If something becomes known by word of mouth, it gets known by being talked about rather than through publicity or advertising, etc.
