bats
A pair of bad boots.
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battells
The weekly bills at Oxford. Probably originally wooden tallies, and so a diminutive of bâton.—University.
batten down
To close or make watertight, referring to hatches and cargo.
batten down the hatches
Prepare for a difficult or challenging situation
batter
Wear and tear; "can’t stand the BATTER," i.e., not equal to the task; "on the BATTER," "on the streets," "on the town," or given up to roystering and debauchery.
battery acid
Coffee.
battle bowler
This was a nickname given in World War I to the steel helmet or "tin hat" worn at the front. Used again 1939-45, when it was also called a "tin topee.
Battle of Britain
The prolonged aerial operations over Southern England and the Channel, August-September 1940, in which the
Battle of the Books
A satire by Swift (written 1697, published 1704), on the literary squabble as to the comparative value of ancient and modern authors. In the battle the ancient books fight against the modern books in St.
Battle of the Giants
See GIANTS. Battle of the Herrings, See HERRINGS.
Battle of the Nations
See NATIONS. Battle of the Poets, The. A satirical poem (1725) by John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, in which the versifiers of the time are brought into the field.
battle of the nile
A tile—vulgar term for a hat. "Cool his BATTLE, Bill."
Battle of the Standard
See STANDARD. Battle of the Three Emperors. See THREE EMPERORS.
battle royal
A certain number of cocks, say sixteen, are pitted together; the eight victors are then pitted, then the four, and last of all the two; and the winner is victor of the battle royal. Metaphorically, the term is applied to any contest of wits, etc.
battle-royal
A battle or bout at cudgels or fisty-cuffs, wherein more than two persons are engaged: perhaps from its resemblance, in that particular, to more serious engagements fought to settle royal disputes.
battledore book
A name sometimes formerly given to a horn-book (#.v.), because of its shape. Hence, perhaps, the phrase "Not to know B from a battledore." See B.
battner
An ox.
battner
An ox: beef being apt to batten or fatten those that eat it. The cove has hushed the battner; i.e. has killed the ox.
batty
Wages, perquisites. Derived from BATTA, an extra pay given to soldiers while serving in India.
batty-fang
To beat; BATTY-FANGING, a beating; also BATTER-FANG. Used metaphorically as early as 1630.
baubles and beads
Trivial or attractive but worthless things
Bauld Wullie
See BELTED WILL. Baulk. See BALK. Baviad, The (bav' i ad). A merciless satire by Gifford on the Delia Cruscan poetry, pub- lished 1794, and republished the following year with a second part called The M&vfad. Bavius. and Maevms were two minor poets pilloried by Virgil (Eclogue, iii, 9).
bawbee
A halfpenny. Scotch.
bawdy basket
The twenty-third rank of canters, who carry pins, tape, ballads, and obscene books to sell, but live mostly by stealing. Cant.
bawl one's eyes out
To cry intensely and uncontrollably
bawl out
To scold or reprimand someone severely
bawl-baby
A crybaby.
Bay Psalm Book
A metrical version of the Psalms published by Stephen Daye at Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, in 1680. One of the first printed works of the New World, and now highly prized. "What the Gutenberg Bible is to Europe, the Bay Psalm Book is to the United States"— A. E. Newton. In 1947 a copy changed hands at auction for $151, 000.00.
bay salt
Coarse-grained salt, formerly obtained by slow evaporation of sea-water and used for curing meat, etc. Perhaps so called because 01 iginally imported from the shores of the Bay of Biscay. "Bay," in this case, does not signify the colour.
Bayardo's Leap
Three stones, about thirty yards apart, near Sleaford. It is said that Rinaldo was riding on his favourite steed, when the demon of the place sprang up behind him; but Bayardo in terror took three tremendous leaps and unhorsed the fiend.
Bayeux Tapestry
A strip of linen 231 ft. long and 20 in. wide on which is represented in tapestry the mission of Harold to William, Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror), and all the incidents of his history from then till his death at Hastings in 1066. It is preserved at Bayeux, and is supposed to be the work of Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror.
Bayou State
The State of Missis- sippi; so called from its numerous bayous. A bayou is a creek, or sluggish and marshy over- flow of a river or lake. The word may be of native American origin, but is probably a corruption of Fr. boyau, gut.
be a friend to thyself, and others will befriend thee
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
be a hundred years too early
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
be a man
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
be about to do something
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
be aces with
be extremely pleased or satisfied with
be allowed to do something
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
be along
To arrive.
be around
to exist or be present for a long time
be at the plague
to be avoided at all costs
be attributed to somebody
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
be careful what you wish for, you just might get it
One should be cautious when expressing desires, as they may come true in an unwanted way.
be charged with doing something
be accused or suspected of doing something
be charged with something
be officially accused of a crime
be derived from something
originate or come from something
be down with
to be in agreement or approval with something
be entitled to something
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
be expected to do something
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
be found to do something
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
be going on
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
be going to do something
plan or intend to do something
be in and out
to frequently visit or stay somewhere for short periods
be in for
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
be in luck
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
be in touch
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
be it as it may
Regardless of the situation or circumstances
be known as somebody
Have a particular reputation or name
be known to do something
have a reputation for doing something
be left at the post
To be left behind or fail to keep up with others
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