B
Idioms beginning with "B"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of B:
[buggy-whip] {n.}, {slang}
An unusually long, thin radio antenna on a car that bends back like a whip when the car moves fast.
He's very impressed with himself ever since he got a buggy whip.
[bug in one's ear] {n. phr.}, {informal}
A hint; secret information given to someone to make him act; idea.
I saw Mary at the jeweler's admiring the diamond pin; I'll put a bug in Henry's ear.
[build a fire under] {v. phr.}
To urge or force (a slow or unwilling person) to action; get (someone) moving; arouse.
* /The health department built a fire under the restaurant owner and got him to clean the place up by threatening to cancel his […]
[build castles in the air] or [build castles in Spain] {v. phr.}
To make impossible or imaginary plans, dream about future successes that are unlikely.
He liked to build castles in the air, but never succeeded in anything.
* /To build castles in […]
[build on sand] {v. phr.}
To lay a weak or insufficient foundation for a building, a business, or a relationship.
"I don't want to build my business on sand," John said, "so please. Dad, give me that loan I requested."
[build up] {v.}
1. To make out of separate pieces or layers; construct from parts.
Johnny built up a fort out of large balls of snow.
Lois built up a cake of three layers.
2. To cover over or fill up with buildings.
* /The fields where […]
[build up to] {v. phr.}
To be in the process of reaching a culmination point.
The clouds were building up to a violent storm.
Their heated words were building up to a premature divorce.