back to the drawing board
Revising something (such as a plan) from the beginning, typically after it has failed.
English · United States 3105
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in the US — distinctly American usage first, then widespread staples.
back to the grindstone
To return to a hard and/or tedious task.
bag and baggage
With all belongings.
balls to the wall
Full throttle; at maximum speed.
basket case
One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, or stress.
be cruel to be kind
Act in a way which seems harsh but will ultimately be of benefit.
bear fruit
Have good results.
bear the brunt
Suffer the most.
beat around the bush
To avoid saying something directly; to approach a topic indirectly.
beating a dead horse
To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution.
bed of roses
A situation or activity that is comfortable or easy.
beer and skittles
Amusement or enjoyment.
bells and whistles
Attractive additional features or trimmings.
belt and braces
Providing double security by using two means to achieve the same end.
bend over backwards
Make every effort to achieve something.
best of both worlds
A combination of two seemingly contradictory benefits.
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.
birds of a feather
People with similar interests.
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.
black sheep
Shameful person.
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.
break the ice
To do or say something that relieves initial awkwardness and gets a conversation or event started.
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.
babe in arms
A very young or innocent person
babe in the woods
A naive or inexperienced person
babe magnet
A person who attracts many romantic or sexual partners
babies in the eyes
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
baby and bathwater
to reject something entirely, including its good parts
baby elephant in the room
a smaller, related issue that needs attention
baby step
A small, initial step in a process or action
baby up
to take care of someone or something very carefully
babysitter test
A measure of how well someone can take care of themselves.
back and fill
to maneuver or change direction repeatedly
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