Beauty is only skin deep
This idiom means that appearances can be deceptive and something that seems
or looks good may turn out to be bad.
This idiom means that appearances can be deceptive and something that seems
or looks good may turn out to be bad.
Beck and call
Someone who does everything for you, no matter when you ask, is at your beck
and call.
Someone who does everything for you, no matter when you ask, is at your beck
and call.
Bedroom eyes
Someone with bedroom eyes has a sexy look in their eyes.
Someone with bedroom eyes has a sexy look in their eyes.
Bee in your bonnet
If someone is very excited about something, they have a bee in their bonnet.
If someone is very excited about something, they have a bee in their bonnet.
Bee's Knees
If something is the bee's knees, it's outstanding or the best in its class.
If something is the bee's knees, it's outstanding or the best in its class.
Beeline for
If you make a beeline for a place, you head there directly.
If you make a beeline for a place, you head there directly.
Been in the wars
(UK) If someone has been in the wars, they have been hurt or look as if they
have been in a struggle.
(UK) If someone has been in the wars, they have been hurt or look as if they
have been in a struggle.
Been there, done that
People say this when they have already experienced what is being discussed.
People say this when they have already experienced what is being discussed.
Beer and skittles
(UK) People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about
self-indulgence and pleasure.
(UK) People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about
self-indulgence and pleasure.
Before the ink is dry
If people make an agreement or contract and then the situation changes very
quickly, it changes before the ink is dry.
If people make an agreement or contract and then the situation changes very
quickly, it changes before the ink is dry.
Before you can say Jack Robinson
The term Jack Robinson represents 'a short amount of time'. When you do
something before you can say Jack Robinson, you do it very quickly.
The term Jack Robinson represents 'a short amount of time'. When you do
something before you can say Jack Robinson, you do it very quickly.
Beg the question
In philosophy "to beg the question" is to assume something to be true that has
not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying
out to be asked.
In philosophy "to beg the question" is to assume something to be true that has
not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying
out to be asked.
Beggars can't be choosers
This idiom means that people who are in great need must accept any help that is
offered, even if it is not a complete solution to their problems.
This idiom means that people who are in great need must accept any help that is
offered, even if it is not a complete solution to their problems.
Behind bars
When someone is behind bars, they are in prison.
When someone is behind bars, they are in prison.
Behind closed doors
If something happens away from the public eye, it happens behind closed doors.
If something happens away from the public eye, it happens behind closed doors.
Behind someone's back
If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without telling them.
If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without telling them.
Behind the eight ball
A difficult position from which it is unlikely one can escape.
A difficult position from which it is unlikely one can escape.
Behind the times
Someone that is behind the times is old-fashioned and has ideas that are
regarded as out-dated.
Someone that is behind the times is old-fashioned and has ideas that are
regarded as out-dated.
Believe in the hereafter
therefore, associated with religions and the soul's journey to heaven or to hell,
whichever way being just deserts for the person based on how they led their life.
whichever way being just deserts for the person based on how they led their life.
Bells and whistles
Bells and whistles are attractive features that things like computer programs
have, though often a bit unnecessary.
Bells and whistles are attractive features that things like computer programs
have, though often a bit unnecessary.
Bells on
(USA) To be somewhere with bells on means to arrive there happy and delighted
to attend.
(USA) To be somewhere with bells on means to arrive there happy and delighted
to attend.
Belly up
If things go belly up, they go badly wrong.
If things go belly up, they go badly wrong.
Below par
If something isn't up to standard, or someone isn't feeling or doing very well,
they are below par.
If something isn't up to standard, or someone isn't feeling or doing very well,
they are below par.
Below the belt
If someone says something that is cruel or unfair, it is below the belt, like the
illegal punches in boxing.
If someone says something that is cruel or unfair, it is below the belt, like the
illegal punches in boxing.
Belt and braces
(UK) Someone who wears belt and braces is very cautious and takes no risks.
(UK) Someone who wears belt and braces is very cautious and takes no risks.
Belt and suspenders
(USA) Someone who wears belt and suspenders is very cautious and takes no
risks.
(USA) Someone who wears belt and suspenders is very cautious and takes no
risks.
Bend over backwards
If someone bends over backwards, they do everything they can to help someone.
If someone bends over backwards, they do everything they can to help someone.
Bend someone's ear
To bend someone's ear is to talk to someone about something for a long-enough
period that it becomes tiresome for the listener.
To bend someone's ear is to talk to someone about something for a long-enough
period that it becomes tiresome for the listener.
Benjamin of the family
The Benjamin of the family is the youngest child.
The Benjamin of the family is the youngest child.
Beside the point
If something is beside the point, it's not relevant to the matter being discussed
or considered.
If something is beside the point, it's not relevant to the matter being discussed
or considered.
Beside themselves
If people are beside themselves, they are very worried or emotional about
something.
If people are beside themselves, they are very worried or emotional about
something.
Beside yourself
If you are beside yourself, you are extremely angry.
If you are beside yourself, you are extremely angry.
Best of a bad bunch
The best that could be obtained from a list of options that were not exactly what
was required.
The best that could be obtained from a list of options that were not exactly what
was required.
Best of both worlds
If you have the best of both worlds, you benefit from different things that do not
normally go together.
If you have the best of both worlds, you benefit from different things that do not
normally go together.
Best thing since sliced bread
If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is excellent. ('The greatest
thing since sliced bread' is also used.)
If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is excellent. ('The greatest
thing since sliced bread' is also used.)
Bet your bottom dollar
(USA) If you can bet your bottom dollar on something, you can be absolutely
sure about it.
sure about it.
Better half
Your better half is your husband or wife.
Your better half is your husband or wife.
Better late than never
This idiom suggests that doing something late is better than not doing it at all.
This idiom suggests that doing something late is better than not doing it at all.
Better safe than sorry
This idiom is used to recommend being cautious rather than taking a risk.
This idiom is used to recommend being cautious rather than taking a risk.
Better than a kick in the teeth
If something is better than a kick in the teeth, it isn't very good, but it is better
than nothing.
If something is better than a kick in the teeth, it isn't very good, but it is better
than nothing.
Better than a stick in the eye
If something is better than a stick in the eye, it isn't very good, but it is better
than nothing.
If something is better than a stick in the eye, it isn't very good, but it is better
than nothing.
Better the devil you know
This is the shortened form of the full idiom, 'better the devil you know than the
devil you don't', and means that it is often better to deal with someone or
something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a
risk with an unknown person or thing.
This is the shortened form of the full idiom, 'better the devil you know than the
devil you don't', and means that it is often better to deal with someone or
something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a
risk with an unknown person or thing.
Between a rock and a hard place
If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a position where
you have to choose between unpleasant alternatives, and your choice might
cause you problems; you will not be able to satisfy everyone.
If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a position where
you have to choose between unpleasant alternatives, and your choice might
cause you problems; you will not be able to satisfy everyone.
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma;
a difficult choice.
If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma;
a difficult choice.
Between you and me and the cat's whiskers
This idiom is used when telling someone something that you want them to keep
secret.
This idiom is used when telling someone something that you want them to keep
secret.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt
If something's beyond a shadow of a doubt, then absolutely no doubts remain
about it.
If something's beyond a shadow of a doubt, then absolutely no doubts remain
about it.
Beyond belief
If people behave in such a way that you find it almost impossible to accept that
they actually did it, then you can say that their behaviour was beyond belief.
If people behave in such a way that you find it almost impossible to accept that
they actually did it, then you can say that their behaviour was beyond belief.
Beyond our ken
If something's beyond your ken, it is beyond your understanding.
If something's beyond your ken, it is beyond your understanding.
Beyond the black stump
(AU) An Australian idiom idicating that even if you go as far as you can, the
black stump is still a little further.
(AU) An Australian idiom idicating that even if you go as far as you can, the
black stump is still a little further.
Beyond the pale
If something's beyond the pale, it is too extreme to be acceptable morally or
socially.
If something's beyond the pale, it is too extreme to be acceptable morally or
socially.
Big Apple
(USA) The Big Apple is New York.
(USA) The Big Apple is New York.
Big bucks
If someone is making big bucks, they are making a lot of money.
If someone is making big bucks, they are making a lot of money.
Bleeding heart
A bleeding heart is a person who is excessively sympathetic towards other
people.
A bleeding heart is a person who is excessively sympathetic towards other
people.
Bless your pointy little head
This expression is used as to patronise someone, especially when they don't
realise that they're not very clever.('Bless your pointes little head' is also used.)
This expression is used as to patronise someone, especially when they don't
realise that they're not very clever.('Bless your pointes little head' is also used.)
Blessing in disguise
If some bad luck or misfortune ultimately results in something positive, it's a
blessing in disguise.
If some bad luck or misfortune ultimately results in something positive, it's a
blessing in disguise.
Blind acceptance
If people accept thing blindly, they accept them without questioning them at all.
If people accept thing blindly, they accept them without questioning them at all.
Blind as a bat
If you are in total darkness and can't see anything at all, you are as blind as a
bat.
If you are in total darkness and can't see anything at all, you are as blind as a
bat.
Blind leading the blind
When the blind are leading the blind, the people in charge of something don't
know anything more than the people they are in charge of, when they should
have greater knowledge.
When the blind are leading the blind, the people in charge of something don't
know anything more than the people they are in charge of, when they should
have greater knowledge.
Blind-sided
If you are blind-sided, an event with a negative impact takes you completely by
surprise.
If you are blind-sided, an event with a negative impact takes you completely by
surprise.
Blink of an eye
If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens so fast it is almost
impossible to notice it.
If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens so fast it is almost
impossible to notice it.
Blood and thunder
An emotional speech or performance is full of blood and thunder.
An emotional speech or performance is full of blood and thunder.
Blood from a turnip
It is impossible to get something from someone if they don't have it, just as you
cannot get blood from a turnip.
It is impossible to get something from someone if they don't have it, just as you
cannot get blood from a turnip.
Blood is thicker than water
This idiom means that family relationships are stronger than others.
This idiom means that family relationships are stronger than others.
Blood is worth bottling
(AU) If an Australian says to you "Your blood is worth bottling", he/she is
complimenting or praising you for doing something or being someone very
special.
(AU) If an Australian says to you "Your blood is worth bottling", he/she is
complimenting or praising you for doing something or being someone very
special.
Blood out of a stone
If something is like getting blood out of a stone, it is very difficult indeed.
If something is like getting blood out of a stone, it is very difficult indeed.
Blood, sweat and tears
If something will take blood, sweat and tears, it will be very difficult and will
require a lot of effort and sacrifice.
If something will take blood, sweat and tears, it will be very difficult and will
require a lot of effort and sacrifice.
Blow a gasket
If you blow a gasket, you get very angry.
If you blow a gasket, you get very angry.
Blow by blow
A blow-by-blow description gives every detail in sequence.
A blow-by-blow description gives every detail in sequence.
Blow hot and cold
If you blow hot and cold on an idea, your attitude and opinion keeps changing;
one minute you are for it, the next you are against.
If you blow hot and cold on an idea, your attitude and opinion keeps changing;
one minute you are for it, the next you are against.
Busy as a bee
If you are as busy as a bee, you are very busy indeed.
If you are as busy as a bee, you are very busy indeed.
Butt naked
If someone is butt naked, they have no clothes on at all, often when they can be
seen.
If someone is butt naked, they have no clothes on at all, often when they can be
seen.
Butt of a joke
If something or someone becomes the butt of a joke it or they are not taken
seriously anymore.
If something or someone becomes the butt of a joke it or they are not taken
seriously anymore.
Butter wouldn't melt in their mouth
If someone looks as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, they look very
innocent.
If someone looks as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, they look very
innocent.
Butterfingers
Someone who has butterfingers is clumsy and drops things.
Someone who has butterfingers is clumsy and drops things.
Butterflies in your stomach
The nervous feeling before something important or stressful is known as
butterflies in your stomach.
The nervous feeling before something important or stressful is known as
butterflies in your stomach.
Button your lip
If you button your lip, you keep quiet and don't speak. It is also used as a way of
telling someone to shut up.
If you button your lip, you keep quiet and don't speak. It is also used as a way of
telling someone to shut up.
Buy the farm
When somebody has bought the farm, they have died.
When somebody has bought the farm, they have died.
By a hair's breadth
If a person escapes from some danger by a hair's breadth, they only just
managed to avoid it. The breadth is the thickness of a hair, so they probably feel
somewhat lucky because the margin between success and what could easily have
been failure was so close.
If a person escapes from some danger by a hair's breadth, they only just
managed to avoid it. The breadth is the thickness of a hair, so they probably feel
somewhat lucky because the margin between success and what could easily have
been failure was so close.
By a long chalk
(UK) If you beat somebody by a long chalk, you win easily and comfortably.
(UK) If you beat somebody by a long chalk, you win easily and comfortably.
By a whisker
If you do something by a whisker, you only just manage to do it and come very
near indeed to failing.
If you do something by a whisker, you only just manage to do it and come very
near indeed to failing.
By and large
By and large means usually or generally.
By and large means usually or generally.
By cracky
A term used by rural folks in years past to emphasize a matter of importance or
urgency. An example: 'By cracky, you need to get out there in the field with that
mule and plow and finish the sod-busting before dark.'
A term used by rural folks in years past to emphasize a matter of importance or
urgency. An example: 'By cracky, you need to get out there in the field with that
mule and plow and finish the sod-busting before dark.'
By dint of
This means 'as a result of' or 'because of': It would be good to think he'd risen to
position of Chief Executive by dint of hard work.
This means 'as a result of' or 'because of': It would be good to think he'd risen to
position of Chief Executive by dint of hard work.
By heart
If you learn something by heart, you learn it word for word.
If you learn something by heart, you learn it word for word.
By hook or by crook
If you are prepared to do something by hook or by crook, you are willing to do
anything, good or bad, to reach your goal.
If you are prepared to do something by hook or by crook, you are willing to do
anything, good or bad, to reach your goal.
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