beat a dead horse
Meaning: spend time and effort on things that are hopeless and unchangeable.
Example: Tom still has hope that his wife will come back to him, but he is actually beating a dead horse. Read more ➺
Idioms beginning with B
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back the wrong horse
Meaning: make an inappropriate and wrong decision.
Example: My dad is an expert stock trader and has rarely backed the wrong horse. Read more ➺
barrel of monkeys
Meaning: something very funny, diverting, and amusing.
Example: The traffic jam was a total barrel of monkeys. Read more ➺
bring to the table
Meaning: making a valuable contribution to a group, company, or individual.
Example: I wish to bring to the table the issue of the current tax regime and how it affects our businesses. Read more ➺
by far
Meaning: to a great extent—the difference between two or more things is substantial.
Example: She is by far the most talented singer in the competition. Read more ➺
bell the cat
Meaning: do a dangerous job.
Example: Someone has to bell the cat and organize the office fundraiser, but so far, no one has volunteered. Read more ➺
bear fruit
Meaning: produce valuable results.
Example: Bearing fruit takes time and patience. Read more ➺
blind alley
Meaning: a street, road, or alley that closes at one end.
Example: I've been researching this problem for days, and I think I'm in a blind alley. There doesn't seem to be any way around it. Read more ➺
bottom line
Meaning: the most important factor to take into account of something
Example: When the profit comes down, the bottom line is that this investment isn't worth the risk. Read more ➺
bag and baggage
Meaning: (with) all one's belongings.
Example: She moved to a new city, leaving all her "bag and baggage" behind her. Read more ➺
