This is the first of 12 pages (1/12) of alphabetically organized idiomatic expressions. These expressions begin with the letters A and B. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a challenging quiz about these idiomatic expressions.
- about to – ready to do something very soon.
Example: I was about to call you when you arrived. - above all – most importantly; more than anything else.
Example: Above all, be kind to others. - add up – make sense; be logical or reasonable.
Example: His explanation doesn’t add up. - back out (of) – withdraw from an agreement or commitment.
Example: He backed out of the deal at the last minute. - bank on – rely on or depend on something/someone.
Example: You can bank on her support. - be my guest – go ahead; you are welcome to do something.
Example: “Can I use your phone?” “Be my guest.” - be rusty – not as good as one used to be at something due to lack of practice.
Example: My Spanish is a bit rusty. - beats me – I don’t know; I have no idea.
Example: “Why did she leave early?” “Beats me.” - better off – in a better situation.
Example: You’ll be better off without him. - bite off more than you can chew – take on more than you can handle.
Example: I bit off more than I could chew with this project. - bound to – certain or very likely to happen.
Example: He’s bound to succeed with that attitude. - break down – stop working (for machines); become emotionally upset (for people).
Example: My car broke down on the way. / She broke down in tears. - break in (on) – interrupt someone or something.
Example: He broke in on our conversation. - break the ice – say or do something to reduce tension or get conversation going.
Example: A joke is a good way to break the ice at parties. - break the news – inform someone of important or bad news.
Example: I had to break the news of her father’s accident. - break up – come to an end (for relationships, meetings, schools).
Example: The meeting broke up at noon. - break up (with) – end a romantic relationship.
Example: She broke up with her boyfriend last week. - a breeze – something very easy to do.
Example: The test was a breeze. - bring about – cause something to happen.
Example: The new law brought about many changes. - bring up (1) – raise a topic for discussion.
Example: She brought up an interesting point. - bring up (2) – raise a child.
Example: He was brought up by his grandparents. - brush up on – review or improve one’s knowledge or skill.
Example: I need to brush up on my grammar. - bump into – meet someone unexpectedly.
Example: I bumped into an old friend yesterday. - by and large – generally speaking; overall.
Example: By and large, the students did well. - by heart – from memory.
Example: I know this poem by heart. - by no means – not at all; definitely not.
Example: It is by no means an easy task.