Idioms beginning with B

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back to the drawing board

Meaning: back to the planning stage

Example: My experiment was a failure, so I'm back to the drawing board. Read more ➺


big cheese

Meaning: to be an important and successful individual

Example: The guy is among the big cheeses in the region and his word rules. Read more ➺


bide time

Meaning: to wait for the perfect moment to do something

Example: The big tiger bides time until the zebra had to make its way to the water fountain and then struck. Read more ➺


beyond a shadow of doubt

Meaning: to be certain about something's validity

Example: The government has clarified beyond a shadow of doubt that the people who have been evading taxes so far will be caught very soon. Read more ➺


better half

Meaning: spouse

Example: I think a two-bedroom flat would suit us but I'd better confirm it with my better half. Read more ➺


better late than never

Meaning: it is better for somebody or something to be late than never to arrive or to happen

Example: All of us have been waiting for you for two hours - but better late than never. Read more ➺


below the belt

Meaning: to be mean and unfair (in a fight)

Example: The shot that he took at him was completely below the belt. Decent people do not compete like this. Read more ➺


beat a hasty retreat

Meaning: abandon something (speedily)

Example: Once I realized that John was going to be at the party, I beat a hasty retreat. Read more ➺


bark up the wrong tree

Meaning: Waste effort by pursuing the wrong goal or path.

Example: The team was barking up the wrong tree by investing in a product nobody wanted. Read more ➺


bang on

Meaning: to be exact; to be correct; to be proper

Example: The documentary was bang on the subject of female foeticide. Read more ➺


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