Proverbs

buy a pig in a poke
- buy something without seeing
I have not seen that bike at all. I do not want to buy a pig in a poke.
by and large
- considering everything, generally speaking
By and large it was a nice weekend.
by and by
- in a short time
We will reach Miami by and by.
by far
- greatly, very much
He is by far the best driver of the racing cars.
by fits and starts
- at irregular interval, with many stops and starts
My television works by fits and starts.
by hook or by crook
- by any way
He says that he will get this work done by hook or by crook.
by the way
- incidentally
By the way, he is a very good friend of mine.
by the skin of one`s teeth
- by a narrow margin, just barely
He won the horse race by the skin on his teeth..
by the sweat of one`s brow
- by hard work
The only way one can succeed is by the sweat of his brow.
calculated risk
- an action, the probability of which is estimated before some action is taken
She took a calculated risk by getting married to billy but their marriage seems successful.
call a spade a spade
- speak plainly
To call a spade a spade, he is a loser in life.
call it quits
- to stop an activity(temporarily)
They called it quits for the day and started packing their equipments.
Go Broke
- to go bankrupt
He invested all his money without analyzing the market and now he has gone broke.
Brush up on something
- review something one has already learned
I am going to brush up on my English before my trip to London.
Brush with the law
- a brief encounter or experience with the police because of a crime
He had a brush with the law when he was young but now he is totally honest.
Bull in a china shop
- an awkward or clumsy person
He was like a bull in a china shop when I saw mat in the party.
Bundle up
- to dress warmly
You must bundle up before going out in the cold.
Burn a hole in one`s pocket
- money that you spend quickly
Your bad habits are burning a hole in your pocket.
Burn down
- Completely consume by fire (used for buildings mostly)
Their house burnt down completely during the night.
Burn the candle at both ends
- to work too hard without enough rest
Tina became sick because she had been burning the candle at both ends by working and
Burn up
- completely consume by fire (things not buildings mostly)
His bike was burned up in fire as revenge.
Bury the hatchet
- stop quarreling and become reunited
He decided to bury the hatchet with his friend.
Butter someone up
- To praise someone excessively
He was buttering her up excessively in order to convince her for marriage.
Break fresh ground
- deal with something in a new way
The researchers were able to break fresh ground in their search for a cancer cure.
Break the bank
- win all the money at a casino gambling table
He didn`t really break the bank but he did win a lot of money.
Break the ice
- relax and start a conversation in a formal situation
Nobody was enjoying the party until the host finally was able to break the ice.
Break the news
- tell some information first
He is planning to break the news to her about his transfer tomorrow.
Break up (with someone)
- stop a relationship
This week I broke up with my girlfriend.
Bring someone into line
- make someone agree with you
He brought his partners into line about his new proposal.
Bring something on
- cause to develop rapidly
Lets work harder from today to bring on some more business.
Bring the house down
- much laughter and high applause in the audience
David Beckham brought down the house with his golden goal.
Bring to mind
- something to be remembered
His perfectly toned body brought to mind the body of Arnold Schwarzenneger.
Bring up
- mention for attention
He brought up an idea for change when everybody else had accepted the circumstances.
Bring up
- raise or care for a child
My parents brought me up in Miami.
Bring up the rear
- to be last in the line
My brother brought up the rear in exam results in his school.
Blind leading the blind
- someone who doesn`t understand something trying to explain it to others
My mom is teaching me in economics, dad feels it like a blind leading the blind.
Blow it (something)
- spoil something
I was a good opportunity but I blew it.
Blow one`s own horn
- boast about oneself
Tim is always blowing his own horns.