B
Idioms beginning with "B"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of B:
[burn one's fingers] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To get in trouble doing something and fear to do it again; learn caution through an unpleasant experience.
He had burned his fingers in the stock market once, and didn't want to try again.
* /Some people […]
[burn out] {v. phr.}
1. To destroy by fire or by overheating.
Mr. Jones burned out the clutch on his car.
2. To destroy someone's house or business by fire so that they have to move out.
Three racists burned out the Black family's home.
3a. […]
[burn-out] {n.}
A point of physical or emotional exhaustion.
There are so many refugees all over the world that charitable organizations as well as individuals are suffering from donor burn-out.
[burn rubber] {v. phr.}, {slang}
1. To start up a car or a motorcycle from dead stop so fast that the tires leave a mark on the road.
The neighborhood drag racers burned a lot of rubber — look at the marks on the road!
2. To leave in a hurry.
* […]
[burnt child dreads the fire] or [once bitten, twice shy]
A person who has suffered from doing something has learned to avoid doing it again. — A proverb.
* /Once Mary had got lost when her mother took her downtown. But a burnt child dreads the fire, […]
[burn the candle at both ends] {v. phr.}
To work or play too hard without enough rest; get too tired.
He worked hard every day as a lawyer and went to parties and dances every night; he was burning the candle at both ends.
[burn the midnight oil] {v. phr.}
To study late at night.
Exam time was near, and more and more pupils were burning the midnight oil.
[bum to a crisp] {v. phr.}
To burn black; burn past saving or using especially as food.
While getting breakfast, Mother was called to the telephone, and when she got back, the bacon had been burned to a crisp.
[burn up] {v.}
1. To burn completely; destroy or be destroyed by fire.
Mr. Scott was burning up old letters.
The house burned up before the firemen got there.
2. {informal}
To irritate, anger, annoy.
* /The boy's laziness and rudeness […]
[burn up the road] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To drive a car very fast.
In his eagerness to see his girl again, he burned up the road on his way to see her.
Speed demons burning up the road often cause accidents.