best of both worlds
A combination of two seemingly contradictory benefits.
English · UK & Ireland 17968
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in Britain and Ireland — distinctly British usage first, then widespread staples.
bet the farm
Risk everything that you own on a bet, investment, or enterprise.
between a rock and a hard place
Faced with two equally undesirable alternatives.
between the devil and the deep blue sea
In a dilemma.
beyond the pale
Outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour.
big cheese
Important person.
bird brain
A person who is not too smart; a person who acts stupid.
bite off more than one can chew
To take on more responsibility than one can manage.
bite the bullet
To force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult that you have been putting off.
bite the dust
A euphemism for dying or death.
bite the hand that feeds you
To harm or betray someone who has helped or supported you.
blaze a trail
Be the first to do something.
blow hot and cold
Alternate inconsistently.
blow the doors off
Be considerably better.
bob and weave
Make rapid bodily movements up and down and from side to side.
bought the farm
A euphemism for dying or death, especially in an aviation or military context.
brass neck
Cheek or effrontery.
bread and circuses
Material benefits and entertainment employed by rulers to keep the masses happy and docile.
break a leg
A wish of good luck to theatre performers before going on stage, due to the belief amongst those in theatre that being wished "good luck" is a curse.
break cover
Emerge into the open.
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
Ready and eager.
bring home the bacon
Achieve success.
build castles in the air
Have unattainable scheme.
burn the midnight oil
To work or study late into the night.
burn your bridges
To act in a way that makes returning to a previous situation or relationship impossible, often by leaving on bad terms.
bury the hatchet
End a quarrel.
bust one's chops
To exert oneself.
by and large
On the whole.
by hook or by crook
By fair or foul means.
by the book
Strictly according to the rules.
by the seat of one's pants
To achieve through instinct or to do something without advance preparation.
by the skin of one's teeth
Narrowly; barely. Usually used in regard to a narrow escape from a disaster.
call a spade a spade
To speak frankly.
call it a day
To declare the end of a task.
cap in hand
Humbly asking for a favour.
carrot and stick
Reward combined with punishment.
cast pearls before swine
To offer something valuable to people who cannot appreciate it.
catch a cold
Encounter trouble.
champ at the bit or chomp at the bit
To show impatience or frustration when delayed.
chapter and verse
Exact reference.
cheap and cheerful
Simple and inexpensive.
cheap as chips
Inexpensive; a good bargain.
chew the cud
To meditate or ponder before answering; to be deep in thought; to ruminate.
chew the fat
To chat idly or generally waste time talking.
chime in
Join in a conversation.
chinaman's chance
Little or no chance of success.
chink in one's armor
An area of vulnerability.
circle the wagons
To unite a group for a common purpose.
claim to fame
Reason for being regarded as noteworthy.
clam up
To become silent; to stop talking.
clear the air
Clarify from confusion.
close to home
Relevant to the point that you feel uncomfortable.
coals to Newcastle
Something brought to a place where it is already plentiful.
cold comfort
Poor consolation.
cold feet
Not going through with an action, particularly one which requires long term commitment, due to fear, uncertainty and doubt.
come a cropper
Fall heavily.
come clean
Be completely honest.
come full circle
Return to a past position.
come hell or high water
No matter what difficulties may occur.
come in from the cold
Gain acceptance.
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