Mastering Idioms: A Comprehensive Guide to “B” Idioms

Idioms enrich the English language, adding color and nuance to everyday communication. Understanding idioms, especially those starting with the letter “B,” is crucial for both native speakers and English language learners.

These expressions often convey meanings that differ significantly from the literal interpretations of their individual words. This article provides a comprehensive guide to “B” idioms, exploring their definitions, origins, and practical applications.

Mastering these idioms will enhance your comprehension, fluency, and overall communication skills, making you a more proficient and confident English speaker. This guide is suitable for intermediate to advanced English learners, ESL/EFL students, and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of idiomatic expressions.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Idioms
• Structural Breakdown of Idioms
• Types and Categories of Idioms
• Examples of Idioms Starting with “B”
  • Idioms with “Be”
  • Idioms with “Break”
  • Idioms with “Bring”
  • Idioms with “Burn”
  • Idioms with “Bite”
  • Idioms with “Blow”
  • Idioms with “Build”
  • Idioms with “Bury”
  • Idioms with “By”
  • Idioms with “Begin”
• Usage Rules for Idioms
• Common Mistakes with Idioms
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics in Idiom Usage
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of Idioms

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of its individual words. Instead, idioms have a figurative meaning that is known through common use.

They are a vital part of any language, reflecting cultural history, social customs, and everyday experiences. Understanding idioms is essential for effective communication, as they often convey emotions, attitudes, and subtle nuances that literal language cannot capture.

Idioms can be classified based on their structure, function, and the context in which they are used. Some idioms are metaphors, using imagery to convey a specific meaning.

Others are similes, comparing one thing to another to highlight a particular quality. Still, others are simply fixed expressions that have acquired a unique meaning over time.

Regardless of their specific form, idioms add richness and depth to language.

Structural Breakdown of Idioms

Idioms do not follow standard grammatical rules in terms of meaning, but they do have a fixed structure. This means that the words within an idiom cannot usually be changed or rearranged without altering or losing the idiom’s intended meaning.

The structure of an idiom often includes a combination of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and prepositions, arranged in a specific order. The grammatical structure itself is less important than the established combination of words and its accepted figurative meaning.

For example, the idiom “to beat around the bush” cannot be changed to “to hit around the bush” or “to beat near the bush” without losing its meaning. The specific words and their arrangement are crucial to the idiom’s recognition and understanding. Similarly, idioms often rely on specific verb tenses or prepositions to maintain their intended meaning. Understanding this structural rigidity is important for using idioms correctly in both spoken and written English.

Types and Categories of Idioms

Idioms can be categorized based on various criteria, including their grammatical structure, figurative meaning, and thematic content. Here are some common categories:

Grammatical Structure

• Phrasal Verbs: These consist of a verb and a preposition or adverb (e.g., “break down”).
• Prepositional Phrases: These include a preposition and a noun phrase (e.g., “by heart”).
• Clausal Idioms: These are short clauses or sentences that have a figurative meaning (e.g., “It’s raining cats and dogs”).

Figurative Meaning

• Metaphorical Idioms: These use metaphors to convey meaning (e.g., “a piece of cake”).
• Similes: These use “like” or “as” to compare two things (e.g., “as cool as a cucumber”).
• Hyperbolic Idioms: These use exaggeration for emphasis (e.g., “a million times”).

Thematic Content

• Idioms Related to Time: These refer to time or duration (e.g., “in the nick of time”).
• Idioms Related to Money: These pertain to financial matters (e.g., “break the bank”).
• Idioms Related to Emotions: These express feelings or attitudes (e.g., “bite your tongue”).

Examples of Idioms Starting with “B”

This section provides a comprehensive list of idioms starting with the letter “B,” categorized by their initial word. Each idiom is defined and illustrated with example sentences to help you understand its meaning and usage.

Idioms with “Be”

Idioms starting with “be” often express states of being, conditions, or actions related to existence and experience. These idioms are frequently used in everyday conversation to describe situations, feelings, and behaviors.

The following table presents a wide range of idioms that start with the word “be”, along with their definitions and example sentences. Understanding these idioms can significantly enhance your ability to comprehend and use English effectively.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Be all ears	To be listening attentively.	“Tell me about your trip; I’m all ears.”
Be in the same boat	To be in the same difficult situation.	“We’re all losing money, so we’re in the same boat.”
Be beside oneself	To be overwhelmed with emotion (usually anger or grief).	“She was beside herself with worry when her son didn’t come home.”
Be a far cry from	To be very different from.	“This apartment is a far cry from the mansion they used to live in.”
Be a piece of cake	To be very easy.	“The exam was a piece of cake; I finished it in half an hour.”
Be a fly on the wall	To be able to observe something without being noticed.	“I’d love to be a fly on the wall during their meeting.”
Be a dark horse	A competitor that is unexpectedly successful.	“He entered the competition as a dark horse, but he won easily.”
Be an open book	To be easy to understand; to have no secrets.	“She’s an open book; you always know what she’s thinking.”
Be back to square one	To have to start over again.	“The project failed, so we’re back to square one.”
Be that as it may	Despite that; nevertheless.	“Be that as it may, we still need to find a solution.”
Be on cloud nine	To be extremely happy.	“She was on cloud nine after getting the job offer.”
Be up in the air	To be uncertain or undecided.	“Our travel plans are still up in the air.”
Be in two minds	To be unable to decide between two options.	“I’m in two minds about whether to accept the promotion.”
Be hard on someone	To criticize someone severely.	“Don’t be so hard on him; he’s trying his best.”
Be taken aback	To be surprised or shocked.	“I was taken aback by his sudden outburst.”
Be snowed under	To be extremely busy with a lot of work.	“I’m completely snowed under with paperwork this week.”
Be streets ahead	To be much better than someone or something.	“Their new product is streets ahead of the competition.”
Be tickled pink	To be very pleased or amused.	“She was tickled pink to receive such a thoughtful gift.”
Be touch and go	To be uncertain, with a risk of a bad outcome.	“His condition was touch and go for a few days, but he’s now recovering.”
Be worlds apart	To be very different in beliefs, ideas, or way of life.	“Their political views are worlds apart, so they often argue.”
Be given to	To have a tendency to do something.	“He is given to exaggeration, so don’t believe everything he says.”
Be intent on	To be determined to do something.	“She is intent on becoming a doctor, no matter how difficult it is.”
Be prone to	To be likely to do, have, or suffer from something.	“He is prone to catching colds in the winter.”
Be subject to	To be affected by or possibly affected by something.	“All imported goods are subject to customs inspection.”
Be up to no good	To be doing something wrong or mischievous.	“The children were very quiet; they must be up to no good.”

Idioms with “Break”

Idioms containing the word “break” often relate to endings, interruptions, or violations. They can describe physical damage, emotional distress, or the termination of relationships or agreements.

The table below presents a variety of idioms that start with the word “break”, along with their definitions and illustrative example sentences. Understanding these idioms can enhance your ability to comprehend and use English effectively.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Break a leg	Good luck (usually said to performers).	“You have your audition tonight? Break a leg!”
Break the ice	To make people feel more comfortable.	“Let’s play a game to break the ice at the meeting.”
Break the bank	To cost too much money.	“That new car is nice, but it would break the bank.”
Break someone’s heart	To cause someone emotional pain.	“He broke her heart when he ended the relationship.”
Break the news	To inform someone of important news (usually bad).	“I have to break the news to them that they didn’t get the job.”
Break a habit	To stop doing something that is a habit.	“It’s hard to break a habit like smoking.”
Break down	To stop working (of machines); to lose control of emotions.	“The car broke down on the highway.” “She broke down in tears when she heard the news.”
Break in	To enter a building illegally.	“Someone broke into our house last night.”
Break out	To escape; to suddenly start (e.g., a war or disease).	“The prisoners broke out of jail.” “A fire broke out in the building.”
Break up	To end a relationship.	“They decided to break up after five years together.”
Break even	To have neither a profit nor a loss.	“After paying all the expenses, we managed to break even.”
Break ground	To start building or constructing something; to innovate.	“They will break ground on the new stadium next month.” “Her research is breaking new ground in the field.”
Break with tradition	To do something differently from what is usually done.	“The new CEO decided to break with tradition and implement new policies.”
Break the mold	To be different and innovative.	“Her art is breaking the mold and inspiring many young artists.”
Break ranks	To act independently and against the established order.	“Some members of the party broke ranks and voted against the bill.”
Break cover	To emerge from a hiding place.	“The suspect broke cover and ran when he saw the police.”
Break one’s fall	To cushion a fall to prevent injury.	“The soft snow helped break his fall when he slipped on the ice.”
Break the back of something	To complete the most difficult part of a task.	“We’ve broken the back of the project, so the rest should be easier.”
Break wind	To fart (a polite way to say it).	“He accidentally broke wind during the yoga class.”
Break promises	To fail to do what you promised.	“He always break promises, so I don’t trust him anymore.”
Break stride	To lose momentum or rhythm.	“He broke stride when he tripped, but he quickly recovered and finished the race.”
Break silence	To speak after a period of silence.	“After a long silence, she finally broke silence and spoke about her experience.”
Break ground	To start or initiate something new.	“This technology is expected to break ground in the medical field.”
Break new ground	To discover or do something new.	“Her research is breaking new ground in cancer treatment.”
Break a code	To decipher a secret message.	“The detective managed to break the code and uncover the spy’s identity.”

Idioms with “Bring”

Idioms with “bring” often involve causing something to happen, influencing a situation, or introducing a topic. They are commonly used to describe actions that have a consequential effect.

The following table provides several idioms that use the word “bring,” along with their meanings and example sentences. Understanding these idioms will help you to enhance your vocabulary and express yourself more effectively.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Bring home the bacon	To earn a living; to be successful.	“He works long hours to bring home the bacon for his family.”
Bring to the table	To provide something useful or valuable.	“She brings a lot of experience to the table.”
Bring up	To raise a child; to introduce a topic.	“They brought up their children in the countryside.” “Don’t bring up that topic again.”
Bring about	To cause something to happen.	“The new policy brought about significant changes in the company.”
Bring down	To cause someone to lose power; to reduce something.	“The scandal brought down the government.” “We need to bring down the cost of production.”
Bring someone around	To persuade someone to agree with you.	“I finally brought him around to my way of thinking.”
Bring something to light	To reveal or make something known.	“The investigation brought new facts to light.”
Bring into play	To make something have an effect or be considered.	“The new regulations bring into play a number of important considerations.”
Bring to fruition	To successfully complete something.	“After years of hard work, they finally brought their project to fruition.”
Bring someone to justice	To arrest and prosecute someone for a crime.	“The police are determined to bring the criminals to justice.”
Bring shame on	To cause dishonor or disgrace.	“His actions brought shame on his family.”
Bring grist to the mill	To provide useful material or opportunity.	“The scandal brought grist to the mill for the opposition party.”
Bring the house down	To cause a strong positive reaction from an audience.	“The comedian’s performance brought the house down.”
Bring out the best (in someone)	To cause someone to show their best qualities.	“Her support brings out the best in him.”
Bring back memories	To cause someone to remember something.	“This old photograph brings back memories of my childhood.”
Bring in	To introduce a new law or product; to earn money.	“The new government plans to bring in stricter environmental laws.” “The company brought in a lot of revenue this year.”
Bring forward	To move something to an earlier date or time.	“The meeting has been brought forward to next Tuesday.”
Bring oneself to do something	To force oneself to do something unpleasant.	“I couldn’t bring myself to tell her the bad news.”
Bring down the curtain	To end a performance or event.	“The final song brought down the curtain on a fantastic concert.”
Bring into line	To make someone or something conform to a particular standard.	“The company is working to bring its practices into line with international standards.”
Bring to a head	To reach a crisis point.	“The argument finally brought the tensions to a head.”
Bring into disrepute	To damage the reputation of someone or something.	“His actions have brought the profession into disrepute.”
Bring to bear	To exert influence or pressure.	“They brought their influence to bear on the decision.”
Bring to pass	To cause something to happen.	“The events brought to pass a new era of peace.”
Bring home	To make someone fully realize something.	“The documentary really brought home the reality of poverty.”

Idioms with “Burn”

Idioms with “burn” often connote intensity, destruction, or rapid consumption. They can describe physical processes, emotional states, or the depletion of resources.

The following table lists idioms that include the word “burn,” along with their definitions and example sentences. Learning these idioms will improve your understanding and use of the English language.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Burn the midnight oil	To work late into the night.	“I had to burn the midnight oil to finish the report.”
Burn bridges	To destroy relationships.	“He burned bridges when he left the company on bad terms.”
Burn a hole in your pocket	Money that you want to spend quickly.	“That bonus is burning a hole in my pocket.”
Burn with curiosity	To be very curious.	“I’m burning with curiosity to know what happened.”
Burn up	To destroy something completely by fire; to use energy quickly.	“The rocket burned up in the atmosphere.” “The car burns up a lot of gas.”
Burn the candle at both ends	To work very hard and get very little rest.	“He’s been burning the candle at both ends trying to get the project done.”
Burn rubber	To accelerate quickly in a vehicle, making the tires squeal.	“He burned rubber as he sped away from the scene.”
Burn someone in effigy	To burn a likeness of someone as a form of protest.	“The protesters burned the politician in effigy.”

Idioms with “Bite”

Idioms with “bite” often involve sharp reactions, suppression of words, or being deceived. They can describe both physical and emotional responses.

The following table presents idioms containing the word “bite,” along with their meanings and example sentences. Understanding these idioms can broaden your understanding of English idiomatic expressions.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Bite the bullet	To face a difficult situation with courage.	“I had to bite the bullet and accept the pay cut.”
Bite your tongue	To avoid saying something that might be offensive.	“I wanted to argue, but I bit my tongue.”
Bite off more than you can chew	To take on a task that is too difficult.	“He bit off more than he could chew when he volunteered for the project.”
Bite someone’s head off	To speak angrily to someone.	“He bit my head off when I asked a simple question.”

Idioms with “Blow”

Idioms with “blow” frequently imply forceful movement, missed opportunities, or sudden events. They can describe everything from wind to emotions to plans gone awry.

The table below features a collection of idioms that use the word “blow,” along with their definitions and example sentences. Learning these idioms will help you to expand your vocabulary and express yourself more effectively.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Blow off steam	To release pent-up energy or frustration.	“He went for a run to blow off steam.”
Blow your own horn	To boast about your achievements.	“She’s always blowing her own horn about how successful she is.”
Blow something out of proportion	To exaggerate the importance of something.	“The media blew the incident out of proportion.”
Blow over	To fade away or be forgotten.	“The scandal will blow over in a few weeks.”
Blow a fuse	To become very angry.	“He blew a fuse when he saw the damage to his car.”
Blow the whistle	To report illegal or unethical activity.	“He blew the whistle on the company’s fraudulent practices.”
Blow hot and cold	To alternate between enthusiasm and disinterest.	“She blows hot and cold about the project, making it hard to plan.”
Blow a kiss	To express affection by blowing a kiss.	“She blew a kiss to her children as she left.”

Idioms with “Build”

Idioms with “build” typically refer to creation, development, or growth. They can describe both physical structures and abstract concepts.

The following table presents a variety of idioms that start with the word “build”, along with their definitions and illustrative example sentences. Understanding these idioms can enhance your ability to comprehend and use English effectively.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Build castles in the air	To make unrealistic plans or dreams.	“He spends too much time building castles in the air instead of working.”
Build bridges	To improve relationships between people or groups.	“The company is trying to build bridges with the local community.”
Build up	To increase gradually; to strengthen.	“He’s been building up his savings for years.” “Regular exercise helps build up your immune system.”
Build on	To develop or expand on something.	“We need to build on our past successes.”

Idioms with “Bury”

Idioms with “bury” often involve hiding, suppressing, or putting something to rest. They can describe both physical actions and emotional states.

The table below features a collection of idioms that use the word “bury,” along with their definitions and example sentences. Learning these idioms will help you to expand your vocabulary and express yourself more effectively.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Bury the hatchet	To make peace after a disagreement.	“They decided to bury the hatchet and work together.”
Bury your head in the sand	To ignore or avoid a problem.	“He’s burying his head in the sand and pretending the problem doesn’t exist.”
Bury the lead	To start with less important information.	“The reporter buried the lead by starting with background information instead of the main point.”

Idioms with “By”

Idioms with “by” often indicate methods, proximity, or time. They can describe how something is done, where something is located, or when something happens.

The following table presents a variety of idioms that start with the word “by”, along with their definitions and illustrative example sentences. Understanding these idioms can enhance your ability to comprehend and use English effectively.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
By and large	Generally; on the whole.	“By and large, the event was a success.”
By heart	From memory.	“He knows the poem by heart.”
By all means	Certainly; of course.	“Can I borrow your pen? By all means.”
By the way	Incidentally; used to introduce a new topic.	“By the way, did you hear about the new project?”
By a hair’s breadth	By a very small margin.	“He won the race by a hair’s breadth.”
By hook or by crook	By any means necessary.	“I’m determined to finish this project, by hook or by crook.”
By leaps and bounds	Rapidly; significantly.	“Her English has improved by leaps and bounds.”
By virtue of	Because of.	“He was promoted by virtue of his hard work.”

Idioms with “Begin”

Idioms with “begin” typically refer to starting something new or initiating a process. They often describe the initial stages of an action or event.

The following table presents a variety of idioms that start with the word “begin”, along with their definitions and illustrative example sentences. Understanding these idioms can enhance your ability to comprehend and use English effectively.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Begin at the beginning	To start from the very start.	“Let’s begin at the beginning so everyone understands the context.”

Usage Rules for Idioms

Using idioms correctly involves understanding their specific meanings and contexts. Here are some important rules to follow:

• Context is Key: Idioms should be used in situations where their figurative meaning is appropriate. Using an idiom in the wrong context can lead to confusion or miscommunication.
• Fixed Structure: Idioms generally have a fixed structure, meaning that the words cannot be changed or rearranged. Altering the structure of an idiom can change or obscure its meaning.
• Audience Awareness: Be mindful of your audience when using idioms. Some idioms may be unfamiliar to non-native speakers or those from different cultural backgrounds.
• Tense Consistency: Ensure that the verb tenses within an idiom are consistent with the intended meaning and grammatical context.
• Do Not Overuse: While idioms can enrich your language, overuse can make your speech sound unnatural or contrived. Use them sparingly and appropriately.

Common Mistakes with Idioms

Many learners make common mistakes when using idioms. Here are some frequent errors and how to avoid them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
“He is hearing all ears.”	“He is all ears.”	The idiom is “all ears,” not “hearing all ears.”
“She broke his heart in a million pieces.”	“She broke his heart.”	The idiom is “break someone’s heart,” not “break his heart in a million pieces.”
“They are in the same ship.”	“They are in the same boat.”	The idiom is “in the same boat,” not “in the same ship.”
“He burned his bridges behind him.”	“He burned his bridges.”	The idiom is “burn bridges,” not “burn his bridges behind him.”
“Bite more than you can eat.”	“Bite off more than you can chew.”	The idiom is “bite off more than you can chew,” not “bite more than you can eat.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of “B” idioms with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom from the list provided.

1. After the argument, they decided to __________ and become friends again. (bury the hatchet, break the ice, bring home the bacon)
   
   Answer

   bury the hatchet
   

2. He had to __________ and accept the fact that he failed the exam. (bite the bullet, blow off steam, build castles in the air)
   
   Answer

   bite the bullet
   

3. She __________ when her favorite team lost the game. (blew a fuse, burned bridges, brought down the house)
   
   Answer

   blew a fuse
   

4. He works hard every day to __________ for his family. (break the bank, bring home the bacon, be all ears)
   
   Answer

   bring home the bacon
   

5. The project was so simple; it was a __________. (be a fly on the wall, be a piece of cake, be back to square one)
   
   Answer

   be a piece of cake
   

Advanced Topics in Idiom Usage

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of idiom usage is crucial. Here are some advanced topics to consider:

• Idiomatic Variation: Some idioms have regional variations or slightly different forms. Understanding these variations can help you communicate more effectively in diverse settings.
• Cultural Context: Idioms are often rooted in cultural history and social customs. Exploring the cultural context of an idiom can provide deeper insights into its meaning and usage.
• Idiomatic Creativity: While idioms generally have a fixed structure, skilled writers and speakers can sometimes creatively adapt or modify idioms to create new meanings or effects.
• Translation Challenges: Idioms are notoriously difficult to translate directly. Understanding the challenges of idiomatic translation can help you appreciate the unique qualities of different languages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering idioms starting with the letter “B” can significantly enhance your English language skills. By understanding their definitions, origins, and usage rules, you can communicate more effectively and confidently.

Continue to practice and explore new idioms to further enrich your vocabulary and linguistic abilities. Idioms are a window into the culture and history of a language, and mastering them will not only improve your language skills but also deepen your appreciation for the English language.