B
Idioms beginning with "B"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of B:
[back the wrong horse] {v. phr.}
To support a loser.
In voting for George Bush, voters in 1992 were backing the wrong horse.
[back-to-back] {adv.}
1. Immediately following.
The health clinic had back-to-back appointments for the new students during the first week of school.
2. Very close to, as if touching.
Sardines are always packed in the can back-to-back.
* […]
[back to the salt mines] {informal}
Back to the job; back to work; back to work that is as hard or as unpleasant as working in a salt mine would be. — An overworked phrase, used humorously.
The lunch hour is over, boys. Back to the salt mines!
* […]
[back to the wall] or [back against the wall] {adv. phr.}
In a trap, with no way to escape; in bad trouble.
The soldiers had their backs to the wall.
He was in debt and could not get any help; his back was against the wall.
* /The team had […]
[back up] {v.}
1. To move backwards.
The train was backing up.
2. To help or be ready to help; stay behind to help; agree with and speak in support of.
Jim has joined the Boy Scouts and his father is backing him up.
* /The principal backs […]
[backward]
See:
[BEND OVER BACKWARD] or [LEAN OVER BACKWARD];
[FALL OVER BACKWARDS] or [FALL OVER ONESELF].
[backward and forward] or [backwards and forwards] {adv. phr.}
To the full extent; in all details; thoroughly; completely.
He understood automobile engines backwards and forwards.
He knew basketball rules backwards and forwards.
* /I […]
[bad]
See:
[GO FROM BAD TO WORSE],
[IN A BAD WAY],
[IN BAD],
[IN ONE'S BAD GRACES],
[LEAVE A BAD TASTE IN ONE'S MOUTH],
[NOT BAD] or [NOT SO BAD] or [NOT HALF BAD],
[ON ONE'S BAD SIDE],
[TOO BAD],
[WITH BAD GRACE].
[bad actor] {n.}, {informal}
A person or animal that is always fighting, quarreling, or doing bad things.
The boy was a bad actor and nobody liked him.