Idioms beginning with B

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backhanded compliment

Meaning: give ironical praise to someone

Example: The judges loved your performance, but this was a backhanded compliment since they also highlighted it was blunt. Read more ➺


big gun

Meaning: a very powerful individual

Example: He is a big gun at the law firm; he has never lost a single court case. Read more ➺


blind impulse

Meaning: sudden and unaccountable desire to do something

Example: Acting on what appeared to be a blind impulse, she submitted her resignation. Read more ➺


brownie points

Meaning: Praise or appreciation, usually for a service someone has done.

Example: He picked up some brownie points with his manager by doing part of her report for her. Read more ➺


buckle down

Meaning: make sure something stays in place

Example: She knew if she didn't buckle down, the tasks wouldn't get done. Read more ➺


bull’s eye

Meaning: the center of a target.

Example: It can't hurt to go right for the bull's eye - there's nothing wrong with getting things right the first time. Read more ➺


back to the wall

Meaning: to be in a difficult situation

Example: They have him with his back to the wall and now he has no more options but to pay back the debtors or go to jail for fraud. Read more ➺


big mouth

Meaning: someone who talks too much

Example: Your big mouth always gets you in trouble at school, Steven! Read more ➺


by hook or by crook

Meaning: by any possible means

Example: The farmer will not sell us the land. By hook or by crook, he is hanging on to it. Read more ➺


burst the bubble

Meaning: the sudden end of a very happy or successful period

Example: She looked so happy about getting married that her sister just couldn't burst the bubble. Read more ➺


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