a bed of thorns
A situation of great anxiety and apprehension. In the twinkling of a bed-post or bed-staff.
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a beggar can never be bankrupt
Someone with nothing to lose has nothing to fear
a bellyful is one of meat, drink, or sorrow
Enough of something, especially something unpleasant, to last a lifetime
a big bug
A person of importance — especially in his own eyes; a swell; a pompous or conceited man. There is an old adjective bug, meaning pompous, proud.
a bigwig
A magnate; in allusion to the large wigs that in the 17th and 18th centuries encumbered the head and shoulders of the aristocracy of England and France. They are still worn by the Lord Chancellor, judges, and barristers; bishops used to wear them in the House of Lords till 1880.
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Something already possessed is more valuable than something potential
a bird of ill-omen
A person who is regarded as unlucky; one who is in the habit of bringing ill news. The phrase dates from the time of augury (g.v.) in Greece and Rome, and even to-day many look upon owls, crows, and ravens as unlucky birds, swallows and storks as lucky ones.
a bird of passage
A person who shifts from place to place; a temporary visitant, like a cuckoo, the swallow, starling, etc.
a bit
somewhat or to a small extent
a bit more
a small amount additional
a bit of something
a small amount or part of something
a blessing and a curse
Something that has both positive and negative effects
a blood horse
A thoroughbred; a horse of good parentage or stock.
a blow out
A "tuck in," or feast which swells out the paunch. Also applied to the sudden flattening of a pneumatic tyre when the inner tube is punctured.
a blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
a board
A council which sits at a board or table; as "Board of Directors," "Board of Guardians," "School Board," "Board of Trade," etc.
a bob wig
A wig in which the bottom locks are turned up into bobs or short curls.
a bolt from the blue
A sudden and wholly unexpected catastrophe or event, like a "thunderbolt" from the blue sky, or flash of lightning without warning and wholly un- expected. Here "bolt" is used for lightning, though, of course, in strict language, a meteorite, not a flash of lightning, is a thunderbolt.
a bone of contention
A disputed point; a point not yet settled. The metaphor is taken from two dogs fighting for a bone.
a book is a friend
A book can be a constant and reliable companion
a boon and a bane
Something that is both beneficial and harmful
a brain-storm
A sudden and violent up- heaval in the brain, causing temporary loss of control, or even madness. Nerve-storm is used in much the same way of the nerves.
a brazen bull
An instrument of torture. See PHALARIS. He may bear a bull that hath borne a calf (Erasmus: Proverbs) — "He that accustometh hym-selfe to lytle thynges, by lytle and lytle shal be able to go a waye with greater thynges'* (Ta verner).
a brazen face
A bold, defiant look. See BRAZEN-FACED, and cp. BRASS.
a bridge too far
An objective that is impractical or unrealistic to achieve
a bridled bear
A young nobleman under the control of a travelling tutor. See BEAR- LEADER.
a broken watch is right two times a day
Something that is normally incorrect can still be right occasionally
a buck of the first head
One who in debauchery surpasses the rest of his companions, a blood or choice spirit. There are in London divers lodges or societies of Bucks, formed in imitation of the Free Masons: one was held at the Rose, in Monkwell-street, about the year 1705. The president is styled the Grand Buck. A buck sometimes signifies a cuckold.
a budget of news
A bagful of news, a large stock of news.
A bull ID a china shop
A maladroit hand interfering with a delicate business; one who produces reckless destruction.
a bully is always a coward
Someone who intimidates others is often afraid to stand up for themselves
A call of the House
An imperative sum- mons sent to every Member of Parliament to attend. This is done when the sense of the whole House is required.
a call on shareholders
A demand to pay the balance of money due for shares allotted in a company, or a part thereof.
A call to the Bar
The admission of a law student to the privileges of a barrister. See BAR.
a call to the pastorate
An invitation to a minister by the members of a Presbyterian or Nonconformist church to preside over a certain congregation.
a call-box
A public telephone booth. Call day, or call night. The name given at the Inns of Court to the dates on which students are called to the Bar.
a call-boy
A boy employed in theatres to "call" or summon actors, when it is time for them to make their appearance on the stage.
A Calvary
A representation of the suc- cessive scenes of the Passion of Christ in a series of pictures, etc., in a church. The shrine containing the representations.
A Calvary cross
A Latin cross mounted on three steps (or grises).
a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle
Sharing knowledge or skills doesn't diminish one's own
a cat has nine lives
A cat is more tenacious of life than many animals. It is a careful, sly, and suspicious beast, and — in the wild state — is strong, hardy, and ferocious; also, after a fall, it generally lights upon its feet without injury, the foot and toes being well padded.
a cat may look at a king
Even those of low status have rights
a chain is only as strong as its weakest link
A system is only as strong as its weakest part
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Or, a chain is no stronger than its weakest link
The strength of a system is limited by its most vulnerable part
a chalice
The eucharist. The circle inscribed in an equilateral triangle, or the triangle in a circle. To denote the co- equality and co-eternity of the Trinity.
A cheerful wife is the spice of life. (Strauss, 1998 p. 20)
A happy and cheerful wife brings joy and excitement to life
a chip of the old block
A son «r child of the same stuff as his father. The chip is the same wood as the block. Burke applied the words to William Pitt.
a cigar is just a cigar
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
a circulating library
A library from which the books may be borrowed and taken by readers to their homes.
a civil question deserves a civil answer
A polite question should receive a polite response
a clean tongue
Not abusive, not profane, not foul. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
a clear day
An entire, complete day. "The bonds must be left three clear days for examination," means that they must be left for three days not counting the first or the last.
a clear head
A mind that is capable of understanding things clearly.
a clear statement
A straightforward and intelligible statement.
a clear style
A lucid method of expressing one's thoughts.
a clear voice
A voice of pure intonation, neither husky, mouthy, nor throaty.
a clouded cane
A malacca cane clouded or mottled from age and use. These canes were very fashionable in the first quarter of last century and earlier.
a cock and bull story
A long, rambling, idle, or incredible yarn; a canard. There are various so-called explanations of the origin of the term, but the most likely is that it is connected with the old fables in which cocks, bulls, and other animals discoursed in human language on things m general.
a cock of hay
A small heap of hay thrown up temporarily. (Ger. kocke, a heap of hay; Norw. kok, a heap.
a cockle hat
A pilgrim's hat. So called from the custom of putting cockle-shells upon their hats, to indicate their intention or performance of a pilgrimage.