Tài liệu CAMBRIGDE INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY OF IDIOMS_ CHƯƠNG 4 pptx

471 How to use the index AGE To find an idiom in the index, look under any important word in the idiom. The word the idiom islisted under in the main part of the book will be in dark type: the bare bones (bare isthe keyword, sothe entry isat 'bare') get off to a flying start (flying isthe keyword, sothe entry isat 'flying') Idioms are not usually listed in the index under words like 'a', 'the', 'all', 'these', 'where' or 'no', except when the whole idiom ismade of suchwords, e.g. be all in, be out of it. Where British and American idioms have different spellings, e.g. take centre stage (British)ltake center stage (American), the idiom is at the British keyword, but if you look up the American spelling in the index you will find a reference to the British spelling. A from A toZ get/go from A to B ABOUT About time too! about/around sb's ears about/on your person an about-face be up and about/around Tell me about it! ABOVE above and beyond sth be a cut above sth/sb be above board head and shoulders above [the others/the rest etc.] over and above ABSENCE Absence makes the heart grow fonder. be conspicuous by your absence ACADEME the groves of academe ACCEPT accept/take sth as gospel (truth) ACCIDENT a happy accident an accident waiting to happen more by accident than (by) design (whether) by accident or design ACCIDENTALLY accidentally on purpose ACCIDENTS accidents will happen be a chapter of accidents ACCOMPLISHED mission accomplished ACCORD of your own accord ACCORDING cut your cloth according to your means cut your coat according to your cloth ACCOUNT be brought/ calied to account on no account must/should sb do sth on sb's account on your own account take account of sth/sb take sth/sb into account turn/use sth to good account ACCOUNTING There's no accounting for taste! ACE an ace in the hole be within an ace of sth/ doing sth: see come within an ace of sth/doing sth come within an ace of sth/ doing sth have an ace up your sleeve piay your ace ACES have/hold all the aces ACHILLES an Achilles' heel ACID an acid test ACORNS GreaUMighty oaks from little acorns grow. ACROSS across the board ACT a balancing/juggling act Act your age! act/play the fool act/play the goat be a hard/tough act to follow catch sb in the act clean up your act get in on the act get your act together read (sb) the riot act ACTION a piece/slice of the action be all talk (and no action) be out of action fight a rearguard action put sb out of action: see be out of action put sth out of action: see be out of action ACTIONS Actions speak louder than words. ACTIVITY extracurricular activity ADAM not know sb from Adam ADAMS sweet Fanny Adams ADD add fuel to the fire/flames add insult to injury ADMIRATION a mutual admiration society ADO much ado about nothing without further/more ado ADVOCATE play devil's advocate AFORETHOUGHT with malice aforethought AFRAID be afraid of your own shadow AFTER after a fashion be after sb's blood be out for/after sb's scalp AGAIN Come again? every now and again/then AGAINST against all odds against (all) the odds be up against sth/ sb AGE Act your age! Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. AGENDA at the ripe old age of sth: see live to a ripe old age come of age in this day and age live to a ripe old age sb of a certain age AGENDA a hidden agenda at the top of the/sb's agenda high on the/ sb's agenda off the/sb's agenda: see on the/sb's agenda on the/sb's agenda set the agenda AGENT a free agent AGO many moons ago AGONY pile on the agony AH um and ah AHEAD be ahead of the game be ahead of the pack be one step ahead be streets ahead full steam ahead keep/stay one step ahead: see be one step ahead AID What's sth in aid of? AIM aim/hit below the belt: see be below the belt AIR a breath of fresh air a nip in the air air your dirty laundry/linen in public be floating/walking on air be in the air be left hanging (in the air/in midair) be up in the air castles in the air clear the air from thin air have your nose in the air: see with your nose in the air hot air out of thin air pluck sth out of the air with your nose in the air AIRS airs and graces AIRY·FAIRY airy-fairy AISLES be rolling in the aisles: see have sb rolling in the aisles have sb rolling in the aisles ALADDIN an Aladdin's cave 472 ALARM a false alarm alarm bells start to ring: see set (the) alarm bells ringing ring/sound alarm bells: see set (the) alarm bells ringing set (the) alarm bells ringing ALBATROSS albatross around/round your neck ALEC a smart alec/ aleck ALECK a smart alec/ aleck ALERT be on full/red alert be put on full/red alert: see be on fullIred alert ALIKE Great minds (think alike). Share and share alike. ALIVE be alive and kicking be alive and well be alive with sth eat sb alive skin sb alive ALL a bit of all right all eyes are on sb/sth all guns blazing all hands on deck all hands to the pumps all in all all is sweetness and light: see be all sweetness and light (all) on your own all or nothing (all) other things being equal all-out: see go all out all over the place all-singing, all-dancing all systems go All that glistens/ glitters is not gold. All that glisters is not gold. (all) the world and his wife all things being equal all told All work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy). All's fair in love and war. an all-rounder and all that jazz at all hours (of the day and night) at all hours (of the night) be all at sea be all done in be all dressed up and/with nowhere to go be all ears be all eyes be all fingers and thumbs be all heart be all in be all in a day's work be all in the/your mind be all mouth be all mouth and (no) trousers be (all) of a piece be all over sb be all over the lot be all over the shop be all sweetness and light be all talk (and no action) be all the rage be all things to all men be all thumbs be all very well be all well and good be all wet be as [fast/hot/thin etc.] as all getout be [faster/hotter/thirmer etc.] than all get out: see be as [fast/hot/thin etc.] as all get out be laughing all the way to the bank blow sth out of (all) proportion come one, come all cover all the bases for all sb cares for all sb knows give it your all give your all go all out I've never [felt/heard/seen etc.] sth in all my (born) days! if all else fails in all but name lt'll all come out in the wash. lt'll (all) end in tears. It's all go. It's all Greek to me. It's all one to me. it's all (that) sb can do to do sth It's all the same to me. make all the difference not be all beer and skittles not be all fun and games not be all it's cracked up to be not be all there once and for all one and all That beats all! That's all she wrote! That's all you need! That's sb all over! the mother of all sth till all hours (of the night): see at all hours (of the night) to cap/crown/top it all to top it all to top it all off touch all the bases warts and all when all is said and done Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. would not do sth for all the tea in China You can't win 'em all. ALL·DANCING all-singing, all-dancing ALLEY a blind alley be (right) down sb's alley be (right) up sb's alley ALLOW allow/give sb (a) free rein allow/give sth (a) free rein allow/give sth full play ALONE go it alone leave well alone leave well enough alone leave/let well alone leave/let well enough alone Man cannot live by bread alone. ALONG all along the line along the lines of sth along the way along those lines ALTAR be sacrificed on the altar of sth ALTOGETHER in the altogether AMBER an amber gambler AMBULANCE an ambulance chaser AMENDMENT I take/plead the Fifth (Amendment) AMERICAN be as American as apple pie AMISS not come amiss not go amiss ANALYSIS in the final analysis AND And how! and no messing and that's that! ANDS no ifs, ands or buts ANGEL a fallen angel ANGELS be on the side of the angels Fools rush in (where angels fear to tread). ANIMAL a party animal ANOTHER a horse of another/a different color another bite at the cherry: see a bite of the cherry another nail in the coffin 473 another string to your bow be another / a different kettle of fish be another/ one of life's great mysteries be in another world be (living) on another planet but that's another story If it's not one thing it's another! It's Gust) one thing after another! live to fight another day one way or another Tell me another (one)! Tomorrow's another day. ANSWER answer the call of nature have a lot to answer for not take no for an answer sb's answer to sb/sth the answer to sb's prayers ANTE raise/up the ante ANTS have ants in your pants ANY any way you slice it ANYBODY anybody who is anybody be anybody's guess ANYTHING If you believe that, you'll believe anything! not do anything/things by halves APART be poles apart be worlds apart APE go ape APESHIT go apeshit: see go ape APOLOGY be an apology for sth APPEARANCES keep up appearances APPETITE whet sb's appetite APPLE see also APPLES a bad/rotten apple An apple a day keeps the doctor away. be as American as apple pie be in apple-pie order the apple of sb's eye APPLECART upset the applecart APPLES apples and oranges How do you like them apples! She'll be apples. She's apples. APPROACH a softly, softly approach ARSE APRON be tied to your mother's apron strings AREA a disaster area a gray area: see a grey area a grey area ARGUE argue the toss ARGY·BARGY argy-bargy ARK be out of the ark . went/had gone out with the ark ARM see also ARMS a list as long as your arm a shot in the arm chance your arm cost (sb) an arm and a leg could do sth with one arm/hand tied behind their back hold/keep sb at arm's length put the arm on sb the long arm of the law twist sb's arm would give their right arm ARMED be armed to the teeth ARMOR a chink in sb's armor a knight in shining armor ARMOUR a chink in sb's armour a knight in shining armour ARMPIT be the armpit of the world/universe ARMS be up in arms greeUwelcome sb/ sth with open arms AROUND about/ around sb's ears around the corner around/round the clock be up and about/around have been around (a bit) ARROW a straight arrow ARROWS the slings and arrows (of outrageous fortune) ARSE a kick up the arse/backside arse aboutface arse-licker/kisser: see kiss/lick sb's arse arse over tip arse over tit be a pain in the arse/backside be (right) up sb's arse bore the arse off sb bust your arse Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. ARSED can't tell your arse from your elbow get off your arse get your arse in gear have your head (stuck) up yourarse Kiss my arse! kiss/lick sb's arse Lick my arse! Move/Shift your arse! Myarse! not know your arse from your elbow Pig'sarse! Shove/Stick sth up your arse! sit on your arse talk out of your arse talk through your arse think the sun shines out (of) sb's arse/backside work your arse/backside off ARSED can't be arsed ART have sth down to a fine art have sth off to a fine art ARTICLE an article of faith ARTSY·FARTSY artsy-fartsy: see arty-tarty ARTY·FARTY arty-farty AS as and when as if there was/were no tomorrow as is as it comes as it stands ASHES rake over the ashes sackcloth and ashes ASK a big ask ask for it ask (sb) for a rain check: see I'll take a rain check ask! cry for the moon Don't ask me. I ask you! Well may you ask! You may well ask! ASKING be asking for trouble be sb's for the asking ASLEEP be asleep at the switch fall asleep at the switch: see be asleep at the switch ASPERSIONS cast aspersions on sb/sth ASS see also ARSE ass-kisser: see kiss (sb's) ass ass over teacup/teakettle 474 be a pain in the ass/butt be on sb's ass bore the ass off sb bust your ass bust your ass/balls chew sb's ass (out) cover your ass get sb's ass haul ass kick (sb's) ass kiss (sb's) ass make an ass of yourself sb's ass is on the line work your ass/butt off You bet your (sweet) ass! ASTRAY lead sb astray AT at a pinch at a price at a push at all costs at any price at cross-purposes at sb's elbow at sb's heels at the chalkface at the coalface at the double at the end of the day at your fingertips be all at sea be at a loose end be at a loss be at each other's throats be at home be at it be at loggerheads be at loose ends be at odds be at odds with sth be atone be at pains to do sth be at sea be at the mercy of sth! sb be at/behind the wheel ATE like the cat that ate the canary ATMOSPHERE you could cut the atmosphere with a knife ATIACHED no strings (attached) with strings (attached): see no strings (attached) AUTHORITY have it on good authority AUTOMATIC on automatic pilot AUTOPILOT on autopilot: see on automatic pilot AUTUMN autumn years AVANT·GARDE avant-garde: seethe avant- garde the avant-garde AVERAGES the law of averages AVOID avoid sb/sth like the plague AWAKENING a rude awakening AWAY be far and away the [best/greatest/worst etc.] be light years away be light years away from sth AWKWARD an awkward customer AXE be given the axe get the axe have an axe to grind B get/ go from A to B BABE a babe in the woods BABES Out of the mouths of babes (and sucklings). BABY a baby boomer be as easy as taking candy from a baby be left holding the baby be like taking candy from a baby cry like a baby the baby blues throw the baby out with the bath water BACK see also BACKED. BACK· ING a back-handed compliment a monkey on sb's back a pat on the back a slap on the back a stab in the back: see stab sb in the back at the back of your mind at/ in the back of beyond back and forth back-door: see by/through the backdoor back in circulation: see out of circulation back the wrong horse back-to-back back to the drawing board be back in harness be back on the rails be fed up/sick to the back teeth be [glad/happy/pleased etc.] to see the back of sb/sth be (like) water off a duck's back Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. be on sb's back be on the back burner behind sb's back break your back by/tbrough the back door claw your way back from sth could do sth with one arm/hand tied behind their back cover your back fit/write sth on the back of a postage stamp get off sb's back: see get sb off your back get sb off your back get your own back get/put sb's back up go back a long way have eyes in the back of your head have your back against/to the wall I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine. It's no skin off my (back) teeth. know sth like the back of your hand make a rod for your own back off the back of a lorry off the back of a truck One step forward, two steps back. pat sb on the back: see a pat on the back put sth back on the rails: see be back on the rails put sth on the back burner: see be on the back burner put your back into sth put/get sb/sth back on track: see on track ride on the back of sth stab sb in the back take a back seat talk out of the back of your head the minute sb's back is turned: see when/while sb's back is turned the straw that breaks the camel's back tbrow sth back in sb's face turn your back on sb turn your back on sth watch your back when/while sb's back is turned would give you the shirt off their back You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. BACKED be backed into a corner BACKING backing and filling 475 BACKROOM a backroom boy BACKS live off the backs of sb BACKSEAT a backseat driver BACKSIDE a kick up the arse/backside be a pain in the arse/backside get off your backside sit (around) on your backside: see get off your backside think the sun shines out (of) sb's arse/backside work your arse/backside off BACKWARD not be backward in coming forward without a backward glance BACKWARDS bend/lean over backwards to dosth fall over backwards to do sth know sth backwards know sth backwards and forwards BACON bring home the bacon save sb's bacon BAD a bad egg A bad workman blames his tools. a bad/rotten apple bad blood bad-mouth sb/sth be bad news be in a bad way be in bad odor with sb be in bad odour with sb be in sb's bad books: see be in sb's good books be on bad terms with sb: see be on good terms with sb be the best of a bad bunch/lot give sth up as a bad job give sthisb a bad name go from bad to worse Good riddance (to bad rubbish)! have a bad hair day have a bad name: see give sthlsb a bad name have got it bad in bad faith: see in good faith leave a bad taste in your mouth make a bad/poor fist of sth/ doing sth: see make a good fist of sth/doing sth make the best of a bad job not be half bad take the bad with the good throw good money after bad BALLISTIC turn up like a bad penny BAG see also BAGS a bag lady a bag of bones a grab bag a mixed bag bag and baggage be a bag of nerves be left holding the bag couldn't [act/argue/fight] your way out of a paper bag in the bag let the cat out of the bag not be your bag pull something out of the bag sb's bag of tricks BAGGAGE bag and baggage BAGS pack your bags BAIT Fish or cut bait. rise to the bait swallow/take the bait BAKER a baker's dozen BALANCE be/hang in the balance on balance swing/tip the balance throw sb off balance BALANCES checks and balances BALANCING a balancing/juggling act BALD be as bald as a coat BALL see also BALLS a ball and chain a ball-breaker a slime ball a totally different ball game a whole new ball game be behind the eight ball be no ball of fire be on the ball carry the ball drop the ball have a ball keep the ball rolling: see set/ start the ball rolling keep your eye on the ball pick up/take the ball and run (with it) play ball put the ball in sb's court: see the ball is in sb's court set! start the ball rolling That's the way the ball bounces. the ball is in sb's court the whole ball of wax throw (sb) a curve (ball) BALLISTIC go ballistic Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. BALLOON BALLOON go down like a lead balloon the balloon goes up BALLPARK a ballpark estimate/figure be in the (right) ballpark: see be in the same ballpark be in the same ballpark BALLS a balls-up be cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey: see brass monkey weather bust your ass/balls have sb by the balls have the brass (balls) to do sth BANANA a banana republic a banana skin BANANAS go bananas BAND a Band-Aid a one-man band Band-Aid: see a Band-Aid BANDWAGON get/jump/leap on the bandwagon the bandwagon effect: see get/jump/leap on the bandwagon BANE the bane of your life BANG a bang up job Bang goes sth! bang/beat the drum be bang on catch/have sb bang to rights come (back) down to earth (with a bang/bump/jolt) go over with a bang go with a bang [more/a bigger etc.] bang for your buck not with a bang but with a whimper BANGING be banging/hitting your head against a brick wall BANK be laughing all the way to the bank not break the bank BANNER under the banner of sth BAPTISM a baptism by/of fire BAR It's all over bar the shouting. BARE bare-bones: see the bare bones bare your heart/soul laybaresth the bare bones 476 with your bare hands BARELY can barely/hardly hear yourself think BARGAIN drive a hard bargain in the bargain into the bargain BARGAINING a bargaining chip a bargaining counter BARGE I wouldn't touch sb/sth with a barge pole. BARK sb's bark is worse than their bite Why keep a dog and bark yourself? BARKING be barking mad be barking up the wrong tree BARRED no holds barred BARREL be as funny as a barrel of monkeys be more fun than a barrel of monkeys have sb over a barrel lock, stock, and barrel not be a barrel of laughs pork barrel scrape the barrel BARRELHEAD cash on the barrelhead BARS behind bars BASE be off base get to first base touch base BASES cover all the bases touch all the bases BASH have a bash BASKET a basket case put all your eggs in one basket BAT see also BATS, BAnlNG bat for the other side be as blind as a bat go to batfor sb like a bat out of hell not bat an eye/eyelash! eyelid off your own bat play a straight bat (right) off the bat BATED with bated breath BATH an early bath throw the baby out with the bath water BATON pass the baton BATS have bats in the belfry BAnEN batten down the hatches BAnERIES recharge your batteries BAnlNG be batting a thousand be (batting) on a sticky wicket BAnLE a battle of wills a battle of wits a battle/war of nerves a pitched battle a running battle an uphill battle/fight/ struggle be half the battle (won) fight a losing battle the battle lines are drawn the battle of the sexes BAY keep sth! sb at bay BAYING be baying for blood BE Be my guest. be that as it may be that as it may the be-all and end-all BEACH not be the only pebble on the beach BEAD draw/take a bead on sb/sth BEADY have your beady eye on sth/ sb BEAM be broad in the beam be off beam BEAN a bean counter not have a bean BEANS be full of beans not be worth a hill of beans not know beans about sth spill the beans BEAR a bear hug a cross (sb has) to bear be like a bear with a sore head bear a grudge bear fruit bear testimony/witness to sth bear/keep sth in mind bear/take the brunt of sth bring sth to bear Everyone has their cross to bear.: see a cross (sb has) to bear grin and bear it loaded for bear Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. 477 BEARD beard sb in their den beard the lion in their den BEAST a beast of burden be (in) the nature of the beast be no good/use to man or beast BEAT see also BEATEN, BEAT- ING, BEATS a stick to beat sb/sth with bang/beat the drum beat a dead horse beat a path to sb's door beat a retreat beat about/ around the bush Beat it! beat sb at their own game: see play sb at their own game beat sb hands down: see win (sth) hands down beat sb hollow beat sb to a pulp beat sb to it beat sb to the punch beat sb to within an inch of their life beat sth to death beat the bushes beat the rap beat your brains out beat your breast beat/knock the (living) daylights out of sb beat/knock the tar out of sb beat/turn swords into ploughshares If you can't beat 'em, (join 'em)! sb's heart misses/skips a beat without missing a beat BEATEN be off the beaten path be off the beaten track BEATING take a beating BEATS (it) beats me That beats all! That beats everything! what beats me: see (it) beats me BEAUTY Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Beauty is only skin deep. sb's beauty sleep BEAVER an eager beaver BECK be at sb's beck and call BED be a bed of nails be in bed with sb be no bed of roses climb/get/hop into bed with sb: see be in bed with sb couldn't lie straight in bed get out of bed on the wrong side get sb into bed: see go to bed withsb get up on the wrong side of the bed go to bed with sb not be a bed of roses put sth to bed You made your bed (now lie in it). You've made your bed (and you'll have to lie in it). BEDPOST between you, me and the bedpost/ gatepost BEDROOM bedroom eyes BEE bea busy bee be as busy as a bee be the bee's knees have a bee in your bonnet BEEF Where's the beef? BEELINE make a beeline for sb/ sth BEEN have been around (a bit) BEER not be all beer and skittles small beer BEES the birds and the bees BEESWAX none of your beeswax BEET go as red as a beet go beet red BEETROOT go as red as a beetroot go beetroot (red) BEFORE (And) not before time! be before your time before sb could blink before you can say Jack Robinson BEG see also BEGGING beg the question I beg to differ/ disagree BEGGARS Beggars can't be choosers. BEGGING be going begging BEGINNING the beginning of the end BEGINS Charity begins at home. BEHAVIOUR be on your best behaviour BELOW BEHIND be at/behind the wheel be behind the eight ball be behind the times behind bars behind closed doors behind sb's back behind the scenes BEHOLD 10 and behold BEHOLDER Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. BEING for the time being BELFRY have bats in the belfry BELIEF contrary to popular belief! opinion BELIEVE can't believe your ears couldn't believe your eyes I'll believe it when I see it. If you believe that, you'll believe anything! make believe not believe a word of it You('d) better believe it! BELIEVED have to be seen to be believed BELIEVING Seeing is believing. BELL be as sound as a bell give sb a bell ring a bell Saved by the bell. BELLS alarm bells start to ring: see set (the) alarm bells ringing bells and whistles Hell's bells! Pull the other leg/one (it's got bells on)! ring any bells: see ring a bell ring/ sound alarm bells: see set (the) alarm bells ringing set (the) alarm bells ringing with bells on BELLY a belly laugh fire in your/the belly go belly up sb's eyes are bigger than their belly/stomach BELLYFUL have had a bellyful of sth BELOW be below par be below the belt be/live below the breadline: see be/live on the breadline Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. BELT BELT aim/hit below the belt: see be below the belt be below the belt the Bible Belt tighten your belt under your belt BEND see also BENT bend sb's ear bend/lean over backwards to dosth bend/stretch the rules drivel send sb round the bend round the bend BENDED on bended knee/knees BENDER a fender bender BENEFIT give sb the benefit of the doubt BENNETT Gordon Bennett! BENT get bent out of shape BERRY be as brown as a berry BERTH give sb/ sth a wide berth BESIDE be beside the point be beside yourself BEST as best as you can as best you can at the best of times be for the best be on your best behavior be on your best behaviour be the best of a bad bunch/lot come off second best do your level best First in, best dressed. give it your best shot Honesty is the best policy. Laughter is the best medicine. make the best of a bad job make the best of sth man's bestfriend May the best man win. put your best foot forward sb's best bet second best six of the best the best of both worlds the best! greatest thing since sliced bread with the best will inthe world your best bib and tucker BET see also BETS a safe bet a sure bet bet the farm/ranch Do you want a/to bet? Don't bet on it. 478 How much do you want to bet? I wouldn't bet on it. sb's best bet You bet your (sweet) ass! you can bet your life/your bottom dollar BETIDE woe betide sb BETS hedge your bets BETTER against your better judgement Better late than never. better the devil you know (than the devil you don't) Better (to be) safe than sorry. Discretion is the better part of valor. Discretion is the better part of valour. for better or (for) worse for better, for worse for want of a better word get the better of sb go one better Half a loaf is better than none. have seen better days Prevention is better than cure. sb's better/other half think better of sth You('d) better believe it! BETTERS your elders and betters BETWEEN between you and me between you, me and the bedpost! gatepost hit sb (right) between the eyes BEYOND above and beyond sth at! in the back of beyond be beyond sb's ken be beyond the pale beyond your wildest dreams beyond/without a shadow of a doubt BIB your best bib and tucker BIBLE a Bible-basher a Bible-thumper the Bible Belt BIBLICAL but not in the biblical sense BIDDING do sb's bidding BIDE bide your time BIG a big ask a big cheese a big deal a big fish a big fish in a small pond a big girl's blouse a big gun/noise a big-head a big mouth a big-mouth: see a big mouth a big shot!wheel as big as life be big of you be big on sth Big Brother Big Brother: see Big Brother Big deal! big-headed: see a big-head big ticket big time big-time: see the big time have big ears make a big play of sth make a big thing (out) of sth make it big MrBig the big daddy the big picture the (big) smoke the big time the last of the big spenders think big too big for your boots too big for your britches What's the big idea? BIGGER be bigger than life have bigger/other fish to fry sb's eyes are bigger than their belly/stomach The bigger they are, the harder they fall. BIKE Onyerbike! BILL a clean bill of health bill and coo fill the bill fit the bill foot the bill pick up the bill/tab sell sb a bill of goods the Old Bill BILLET·DOUX a billet-doux BIND a donble bind BIRD a bird-brain A bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush). a bird's eye view A little bird told me (so). an early bird as free as a bird bird-brained; see a bird-brain eat like a bird flip/ give sb the bird Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. The bird has flown. The early bird catches the worm. BIRDS be (strictly) for the birds birds of a feather: see Birds of a feather flock together. Birds of a feather flock together. kill two birds with one stone the birds and the bees BIRTHDAY in your birthday suit BISCUIT take the biscuit BIT see also BITS a bit of all right a bit of fluff/skirt a bit of how's your father a bit of rough a bit on the side bea bit much be chafing at the bit be champing/ chomping at the bit get a bit much: see be a bit much get/take the bit between your teeth have the bit between your teeth: see get/take the bit between your teeth It's/That's a bit steep! not take a blind bit of notice take the bit in your teeth the hair of the dog (that bit you) the whole bit BITCH a son of a bitch Son of a bitch! BITE see also BITING, BITTEN a bite of the cherry a second bite at the cherry: see a bite of the cherry another bite at the cherry: see a bite of the cherry bite off more than you can chew bite the bullet bite the dust bite the haud that feeds you bite your tongue bite/snap sb's head off put the bite on sb sb's bark is worse than their bite sb/ sth won't bite BITER the biter (is) bit BITING What's biting sb? BITS be thrilled to bits 479 bits and bobs bits and pieces love sb/sth to bits BITTEN Once bitten, twice shy. BITTER a bitter pill (to swallow) be bitter and twisted bitter medicine the bitter fruits to the bitter end BLACK a black day a black mark black and blue black and white in black and white not be as black as you are/it is painted - pretend! say that black is white swear black and blue the black sheep (of the family) the pot calling the kettle black BLAMES A bad workman blames his tools. BLANK see also BLANKS a blank cheque draw a blauk point blank your mind goes blank your mind is a blank: see your mind goes blank BLANKET a wet blanket BLANKS fire/ shoot blanks BLAST a blast from the past blast/blow sb/sth to kingdom come BLAZE blaze a trail BLAZES Go to blazes! like blue blazes [What/Why/Who etc.] the blue blazes BLAZING all guns blazing with (your) guns blazing BLEED bleedsbdry BLEEDING a bleeding heart BLEEDS your heart bleeds BLESS Bless her/his cotton socks. BLESSING be a blessing in disguise be a mixed blessing BLOOD BLESSINGS count your blessings BLIMP a Colonel Blirop BLIND a blind alley a blind date a blind spot be as blind as a bat blind sb with science fly blind not take a blind bit of notice swear blind the blind leading the blind turn a blind eye BLlNDER play a blinder BLINDING effing and blinding BLINK be on the blink before sb could blink in the blink of an eye BLISS Ignorance is bliss. BLOCK a chip off the old block a stumbling block knock sb's block off on the block put your head/neck on the block the new kid on the block BLOCKS be off the (starting) blocks be out of the (starting) blocks on the/your (starting) blocks: see be off the (starting) blocks BLOOD a blood brother a (sudden) rush of blood (to the head) bad blood be after sb's blood be baying for blood be in the/your blood be out for blood be sb's (own) flesh and blood blood and guts blood and thunder Blood is thicker than water. blood, sweat and tears blue blood burst/bust a blood vessel draw blood flesh and blood get blood out of a stone have blood on your hands have sb's blood on your hands have tasted blood in cold blood make sb's blood boil make sb's blood curdle Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. BLOODIED make sb's blood run cold new blood sb's blood boils: see make sb's blood boil sb's blood curdles: see make sb's blood run cold sb's blood is up sb's blood runs cold: see make sb's blood run cold scent blood spit blood sweat blood young blood BLOODIED bloodied but unbowed BLOODY bloody minded get a bloody nose: see give sb a bloody nose give sb a bloody nose scream bloody murder BLOT a blot on the landscape blot your copybook BLOUSE a big girl's blouse BLOW see also BLOWING, BLOWS a blow job a body blow a death blow blast/blow sb/sth to kingdom come blow a fuse/gasket blow a hole in sth blow a raspberry blow away the cobwebs blow-by-blow blow hot and cold blow it blow off steam blow sb's brains out blow sb's cover blow smoke blow sth out of (all) proportion blow sth sky-high blow sth wide open blow sth/sb out of the water blow the gaff blow the whistle on sbl sth blow up/explode in sb's face blow your mind blow your own trumpet blow your stack/top blow/knock your socks off blow/make a hole in sth blow/take the lid off sth blow/toot your own horn cushion/ soften the blow strike a blow against/ at sth/sb: see strike a blow for sth/sb strike a blow for sth/sb 480 BLOWING see how the wind is blowing see which way the wind is blowing BLOWS come to blows It's an ill wind (that blows nobody any good). BLUE a blue-eyed boy a bolt from the blue a bolt out of the blue be in a (blue) funk between the devil and the deep blue sea black and blue blue blood blue-blooded: see blue blood blue-collar into the wide/wild blue yonder like blue blazes once in a blue moon out of a clear (blue) sky: see out of the blue out of the blue [run around/rush around etc.] like a blue-arsed fly scream blue murder swear black and blue talk a blue streak the boys in blue until you are blue in the face [What/Why/Who etc.] the blue blazes BLUES the baby blues BLUFF call sb's bluff BLUSH at first blush BLUSHES save/spare sb's blushes BOARD across the board back to the drawing board be above board be as stiff as a board go by the board on board sweep the board take on board sth BOARDS go by the boards: see go by the board tread the boards BOAT be in the same boat miss the boat push the boat out rock the boat BOATS burn your boats BOB Bob's your uncle! not be short of a bob or two BOBS bits and bobs BODICE-RIPPER a bodice-ripper BODY a body blow body and soul he/she doesn't have a [jealous, mean, unkind etc.] bone in his/her body keep body and soul together over my dead body there isn't a [mean, jealous, unkind etc.] bone in sb's body: see he/she doesn't have a [jealous, mean, unkind etc.] bone in his/her body BOG bog standard BOGGLES The mind boggles. BOIL can't boil an egg go off the boil make sb's blood boil on the boil BOILING reach boiling point BOILS A watched pot never boils. sb's blood boils: see make sb's blood boil BOLD as bold as brass BOLT a bolt from the blue a bolt out of the blue bolt upright shoot your bolt BOLTED closing! shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted BOLTS the nuts and bolts BOMB a smart bomb drop a bomb go (like) a bomb go like a bomb put a bomb under sthlsb BOMBSHELL drop a bombshell BONE a bone of contention be as dry as a bone be as dry as a bone be bone dry be bone idle be chilled to the bone/ marrow be close to the bone be cut to the bone be near the bone Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. [...]... cock a snook the cock of the walk COCKLES warm the cockles of your heart COFFEE a coffee table book Wake up and smell the coffee! COFFIN another nail in the coffin the fmal nail in the coffin COG a cog in the machine/wheel COIL shuffle off this mortal coil COIN be differentlopposite sides of the same coin be two sides of the same coin pay sb back in their own coin the other side of the coin to coin a... the end of the day be at a loose end be at the end of your rope be at the end of your tether be at your wits' end be at/ on the receiving end be on the wrong end of sth be the end of the line/road be the living end can't see beyond/past the end of your nose come to a sticky end [days/months/weeks etc.] on end end it all End of story get (bold of) the wrong end of the stick get the short end of the stick... country! the old country be a couple short of a sandwich in a couple of sandwiches picnic: see be one short of a picnic of shakes a hard/tough nut to crack at the crack of dawn crack a book crack a smile crack the whip get a crack at sth: see have/take a crack at sth get/have a fair crack of the whip: see give sb a fair crack of the whip give sb a fair crack of the whip have/take a crack at sth use a... away go off the deep end hold/keep your end up It'll (all) end in tears jump in at the deep end: see throw sb in at the deep end light at the end of the tunnel make sb's hair stand on end meet a sticky end no end no end of sth: see no end not be the end of the world quote, end quote reach the end of the line/road: see be the end of the line/road reach the end of your rope: see be at the end of your... BOY put the genie back in the bottle: see let the genie out of the bottle BOTTOM at the bottom of the heap/pile be bumping along the bottom be/lie at the bottom of sth from the bottom of your heart from top to bottom get to the bottom of sth knock the bottom out of sth rock bottom sb's bottom drawer sb's bottom line the bottom drops/falls out of the market the bottom line you can bet your life/your bottom... tether reach the end of your tether: see be at the end of your tether the beginning of the end the business end The end justifies the means, the sharp end the tail end of sth 500 the thin end of the wedge throw sb in at the deep end to the bitter end You'll never hear the end of it END-ALL the be-all and end-all ENDS be at loose ends burn the candle at both ends go to the ends of the earth loose ends... disappear/vanish into thin air: see out of thin air disappear/vanish off the face of the earth DISASTER a disaster DILEMMA DICE a clever dick Tom, Dick and/or a horse of another / a different color a totally different ball game be another / a different kettle of fish be as different as chalk and cheese be cast in a different mould: see be cast in the same mould be different/ opposite sides of the same coin (It's)... your ears must be burning EARTH (a) hell on earth an earth mother be the salt of the earth bring sb (back) down to earth: see come (back) down to earth (with a bang/bump/jolt) come (back) down to earth (with a bang/bump/jolt) disappear/vanish off the face of the earth fall off the face of the earth go to earth go to the ends of the earth [hardly/scarcely etc.] earthshattering like nothing on earth move... come in for [a lot of/ some etc.] stick come in from the cold come into full play: see allow I give sth full play come into your Iits own come of age come off second best come on like gangbusters come on strong come one, come all come out fighting come out in the wash come out of the closet come out of your shell come out swinging come out/up smelling like roses come out/up smelling of roses (come) rain... trumps creature comforts come what may COMING come within a whisker of be coming/falling apart at the sth/doing sth seams come within an ace of Everything's coming up sth/ doing sth roses come within an inch of doing had it coming sth have sth coming out of your come/crawl out of the ears woodwork If sb thinks sth, they've got come/get (down) off your high -/ another thing/think coming! horse; see climb/get . the cock of the walk COCKLES warm the cockles of your heart COFFEE a coffee table book Wake up and smell the coffee! COFFIN another nail in the coffin the. see a bite of the cherry another nail in the coffin 47 3 another string to your bow be another / a different kettle of fish be another/ one of life's