B
Idioms beginning with "B"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of B:
[by far] {adv. phr.}
By a large difference; much.
His work was better by far than that of any other printer in the city.
The old road is prettier, but it is by far the longer way.
Compare: [FAR AND AWAY].
[by fits and starts] or [jerks] {adv. phr.}
With many stops and starts, a little now and a little more later; not all the time; irregularly.
He had worked on the invention by fits and starts for several years.
* /You will never get anywhere if you […]
[by heart] {adv. phr.}
By exact memorizing; so well that you remember it; by memory.
The pupils learned many poems by heart.
He knew the records of the major league teams by heart.
[by hook or by crook] {adv. phr.}
By honest ways or dishonest in any way necessary.
The wolf tried to get the little pigs by hook or by crook.
* /The team was determined to win that last game by hook or by crook, and three players were put out of […]
[by inches] {adv. phr.}
By small or slow degrees; little by little; gradually.
The river was rising by inches.
They got a heavy wooden beam under the barn for a lever, and managed to move it by inches.
He was dying by inches.
[by leaps and bounds] {adv. phr.}
With long steps; very rapidly.
Production in the factory was increasing by leaps and bounds.
The school enrollment was going up by leaps and bounds.
[by means of] {prep.}
By the use of; with the help of.
The fisherman saved himself by means of a floating log.
By means of monthly payments, people can buy more than in the past.
[by mistake] {adv. phr.}
As the result of a mistake; through error.
He picked up the wrong hat by mistake.
[by no means] or [not by any means] also [by no manner of means] or [not by any manner of means] {adv. phr.}
Not even a little; certainly not.
He is by no means bright.
"May I stay home from school?" "By no means."
* /Dick worked on his […]