bouquets and brickbats
Praise and criticism received for something
English · United States 32588
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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.
bow and arrow
a traditional weapon
bow and scrape
show excessive respect or try too hard to please someone
bow down
Show respect or surrender to someone or something
bow down before the porcelain god
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
bow out
To leave or withdraw from a situation
bow-legged wi' brass
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
bowl a googly
To surprise or deceive someone with an unexpected action
bowl of cherries
A very pleasant or enjoyable situation
bowl over
to surprise or impress someone very much
bowl up
to arrive or appear suddenly and unexpectedly
box and cox
two people who share a space or responsibility
box clever
To act cleverly and strategically, often to gain an advantage
box oneself into a corner
To limit one's options or freedom of action
box seat
A highly desirable or privileged position
box someone's ears
to hit or slap someone's ears as punishment
box the compass
To know or understand something thoroughly
boxers or briefs
a question about someone's underwear preference
boy howdy
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
boy in the boat
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
boy toy
A younger man romantically involved with an older woman
boys and girls
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
boys and their toys
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
boys will be boys
Boys are expected to be rambunctious and misbehave
brace and bit
a hand-powered drill
brace of shakes
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
bragging rights
The right to boast about something
Brahms and Liszt
completely different
brain blast
a sudden, intense idea or inspiration
brain bucket
a helmet, especially for a motorcycle or bicycle
brain candy
Entertainment that is enjoyable but lacks intellectual substance
brain drain
Loss of skilled workers to another country or region
brain surgeon
a person of extremely high intelligence
brain surgery
a very difficult or complex task
branch off
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
branch out
To try new things or explore new areas of interest
brass ceiling
an invisible barrier to advancement, especially for women
brass farthing
something completely worthless
brass monkey
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
brass monkeys
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
brassed off
Extremely annoyed or frustrated
brave out
to endure a difficult situation with courage
brazen out
To boldly and confidently deal with a difficult situation
bread and butter
One's main source of income or livelihood
bread and roses
basic needs and desires for a better life
bread and water
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
bread of life
Something that gives spiritual nourishment
break a promise
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
break a sweat
to exert oneself physically or mentally
break and take
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
break down
To stop functioning or fall apart
break even
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
break gates
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
break in
Interrupt or intrude into a conversation or activity
break into
start doing something suddenly
break into a run
start running suddenly
break it to
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
break one's back
to work extremely hard
break one's chops
to tease or annoy someone
break one's duck
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
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