B
Idioms beginning with "B"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of B:
[bear trap] {n.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio jargon}
A police radar unit designed to catch speeders.
Watch the bear trap at exit 101.
[bear up] {v.}
1. To hold up; carry; support; encourage.
The old bridge can hardly bear up its own weight any more.
He was borne up by love of country.
2. To keep up one's courage or strength; last. — Often used with "under".
* /This boat […]
[bear watching] {v. phr.}
1. To be worth watching or paying attention to; have a promising future.
That young ball player will bear watching.
2. To be dangerous or untrustworthy.
Those tires look badly worn; they will bear watching.
[…]
[bear with] {v.}, {formal}
To have patience with; not get angry with.
Your little sister is sick. Try to bear with her when she cries.
It is hard to bear with criticism.
Syn.: [PUT UP WITH]. Compare: [CARRY ONE'S CROSS].
[beat a retreat] {v. phr.}
1. To give a signal, esp. by beating a drum, to go back.
The Redcoats' drums were beating a retreat.
2. To run away.
They beat a retreat when they saw that they were too few.
* /The cat beat a hasty retreat when […]
[beat about the bush] or [beat around the bush] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To talk about things without giving a clear answer; avoid the question or the point.
He would not answer yes or no, but beat about the bush.
* /He beat about the bush for a half […]
[beat all] or [beat the Dutch] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be strange or surprising.
John found a box full of money buried in his garage. Doesn't that beat all!
It beats the Dutch how Tom always makes a basket.
[beat all hollow] also [beat hollow] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To do much better than; to beat very badly.
We beat their team all hollow.
As a speaker, he beats us all hollow.