Idioms beginning with B
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Meaning: an intelligent and lively person (humorously)
Example: Emma is the bright spark of the school – she scored the highest marks in the class. Read more ➺
Meaning: most basic and important elements or facts
Example: Wendy told us a bare-bones version of the long story. Read more ➺
Meaning: the migration of highly skilled or trained people from a particular country
Example: The slowdown in the advanced countries triggered a reverse brain drain to developing countries. Read more ➺
Meaning: a book containing a list of secret contacts
Example: Ann will not invite Bob to the party because he has been in her black books for so long. Read more ➺
Meaning: end a romantic relationship with someone.
Example: After having been married for eight years, their decision to break up came as a huge surprise to their friends. Read more ➺
Meaning: to threaten someone, but not take action or follow through with threats
Example: "I haven't finished my maths homework. You know what Mr Peterson is like, he'll shout so loud they will hear him in the next town.""Yes, but barking dogs seldom bite. It's just his way." Read more ➺
Meaning: to do or say something that makes people feel more comfortable, especially at the start of a meeting or party
Example: Jone suggested playing a party game to break the ice. Read more ➺
Meaning: to be angry, irritable or in a temper
Example: Geoff was in one of his black moods today, and no amount of cajoling could snap him out of it. Read more ➺
Meaning: something unpleasant to be endured
Example: Finding out that she was adopted was a hard pill for Hailey to take. Read more ➺
Meaning: melancholy mood accompanied by deep thought
Example: I realised that Sandra wasn't concentrating on what the boss was saying and had disappeared into a brown study. Read more ➺
