Idioms

blow off steam

To release pent-up anger, stress, or energy by doing something that lets you vent and feel calmer afterward.

blow your cover

To reveal your secret identity, role, or hidden plan—often by saying or doing something that exposes you.

blow your own horn

To boast or praise yourself; to talk about your own achievements, often in a way others may find annoying.

blow your top

To suddenly lose your temper; to become extremely angry.

blow-by-blow

A very detailed, step-by-step account of events as they happened, often moment by moment.

blue in the face

Extremely exhausted or frustrated from trying, arguing, or talking for a long time without success.

boil the ocean

To try to do an impossible or overly ambitious task, especially by attempting to solve everything at once instead of focusing on what’s feasible.

bone of contention

An issue or subject that causes disagreement or dispute between people or groups.

bookworm

A person who loves reading and spends a lot of time with books; an avid, habitual reader.

bored stiff

Extremely bored; so bored you feel almost numb or unable to stay engaged.

born with a silver spoon

Born into a wealthy, privileged family; having advantages from birth rather than earning them.

born with a silver spoon in your mouth

To be born into a wealthy, privileged family and have advantages from the start of life.

bottom line

The most important point or final outcome, especially the practical result (often about money, impact, or what truly matters).

bounce back

To recover quickly from a setback, illness, or failure and return to a normal or successful state.

brain drain

The loss of highly skilled or educated people from a country/region/organization, usually because they move elsewhere for better opportunities.

break a leg

A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or presentation.

break even

To have no profit and no loss; to earn exactly enough to cover costs.

break new ground

To do something innovative or pioneering; to explore or develop an area that hasn’t been tried before.

break the bank

To cost or require so much money that it would use up your budget or financial resources; to be too expensive.

break the ice

To do or say something that reduces initial tension and makes people feel more comfortable, especially when strangers first meet.

break the mold

To do something in a new, unconventional way; to be different from what’s typical or expected.

break the news

To tell someone important or upsetting information for the first time, especially in a careful or gentle way.

breathe down your neck

To watch, follow, or supervise someone very closely, creating pressure or discomfort and leaving little personal space.

bring home the bacon

To earn money or achieve success that provides for yourself or your family; to come through with the needed result.

bring to the table

To contribute something valuable (ideas, skills, resources, or benefits) to a discussion, team, or negotiation.

bring up to speed

To update someone with the latest information so they understand the current situation or progress and can participate effectively.

broad daylight

In full daylight; openly and clearly visible (often implying brazen wrongdoing).

broad in the beam

Having a wide body or figure; stout/overweight (originally describing a ship with a wide beam).

broke the camel’s back

The final small burden or problem that makes a situation unbearable and causes someone to give up or react strongly.

brush up on

To review and practice a skill or knowledge you learned before, to improve it and refresh your memory.

buckle down

To start working seriously and with determination; to concentrate and apply yourself to a task.

build castles in the air

To make unrealistic plans or daydream about grand ideas that are unlikely to happen.

burn a hole in your pocket

To make you eager to spend money quickly because you have it available.

burn bridges

To destroy relationships or options so you cannot go back to a previous situation; to make a return or reconciliation impossible.

burn the boats

To eliminate any possibility of turning back, forcing full commitment to a course of action.

burn the candle at both ends

To overwork or overuse your time and energy by staying busy late into the night and starting early, risking exhaustion or burnout.

burn the midnight oil

To work or study late into the night, especially for a long time or to meet a deadline.

bury the hatchet

To end a conflict and make peace, especially after a disagreement or feud.

busy as a bee

Very busy and active; constantly occupied with tasks.

by hook or by crook

By any possible means, fair or unfair; determined to achieve a goal regardless of obstacles or rules.

by the book

According to the official rules, procedures, or regulations; in a strict, correct, and often inflexible way.

call a spade a spade

To speak plainly and honestly about something, even if it sounds harsh; to name things as they really are.

call it a day

To stop working on something for now because you’re finished or it’s time to quit for the day.

call someone's bluff

To challenge someone’s threat, claim, or show of confidence by demanding proof or action, believing they are pretending and won’t follow through.

call the shots

To be the person who is in control and makes the important decisions; to have the final say.

call the tune

To control a situation and make the decisions; to be the one in charge.

call the whole thing off

To cancel a plan, event, or arrangement completely, often after deciding it’s no longer workable or worth doing.

calm before the storm

A quiet period just before a time of trouble, chaos, or intense activity.

can of worms

A complicated problem or situation that, once started, creates many more difficulties or questions.

can’t cut the mustard

To be not good enough; to fail to meet expectations or required standards.