Idioms beginning with B

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below the belt

Meaning: Unfairly against accepted rules or standards.

Example: The lawyer hit below the belt by bringing up the witness's family during the trial. Read more ➺


beat a hasty retreat

Meaning: Leave quickly because of danger, fear, or trouble.

Example: The campers beat a hasty retreat after hearing a bear growling nearby. Read more ➺


barking up the wrong tree

Meaning: Accusing: Believing the wrong person is responsible for something.

Example: You're barking up the wrong tree if you think I leaked the information. Read more ➺


bang on

Meaning: Exactly right or correct.

Example: The weather forecast was bang on and accurately predicted the storm. Read more ➺


banana republic

Meaning: A country with a weak government and an economy dependent on a single export or foreign interests.

Example: The nation's dependence on one cash crop caused some observers to describe it as a banana republic. Read more ➺


back door

Meaning: An indirect or secret way of achieving something.

Example: The deal was completed through a back door arrangement that few people knew about. Read more ➺


bone of contention

Meaning: A subject or issue that causes disagreement between people.

Example: The proposed parking rules became a bone of contention between residents and the city council. Read more ➺


bend over backwards

Meaning: To try extremely hard to help someone or achieve something.

Example: Kathie bent over backwards to make her guests feel comfortable during the holiday visit. Read more ➺


blow-by-blow account

Meaning: A very detailed description of events in the exact order they happened.

Example: Emily gave a blow-by-blow account of the office argument, explaining how the disagreement slowly became heated. Read more ➺


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