IDIOMS 3

Ask for trouble

Act in a way that is likely to incur problems or difficulties

Asleep at the wheel

Not attentive to one's duties

Assume airs

Pretend superiority

At a crossroads

A point in life where his decisions will have long term consequences

At a loss

Unable to decide

At a snail’s pace

Do something very slowly

At a stretch

To do something continuously

At any cost

Under any circumstances

At beck and call

At his disposal // To be dominated by someone // be always ready at their service

At cross purposes

Having opposing viewpoints or intentions

At daggers drawn

Enemies // To be bitterly hostile // Being at loggerheads

At each other’s throats

Arguing angrily

At large

A criminal escaped or not yet captured

At loggerheads

In conflict with someone // To argue very strongly

At loose ends

In an uncertain situation

At one’s elbow

Next to someone

At one’s wit’s end

Completely confused or perplexed

At random

In a random manner

At short notice

With little warning or time for preparation

At sixes and sevens

In disorder or confusion

At somebody’s expense

Paid for by someone

At stake

In danger

At the drop of a hat/dime

Without any hesitation // instantly // without having planned beforehand

At the eleventh hour

At the very last moment // Just before the deadline

At the top of your lungs

Extremely loudly

At variance with

In opposite

Average out

To produce a result that is even and balanced when looked at over a period of time

Babe in the woods

A young defenceless person

Back in saddle

Resume duty

Back me

Support

Back on one’s feet

Well or successful again

Back out of

Withdraw from a commitment

Back to basics

Returning to the simple and most important things

Back to square one

To return to the starting point // Having to start all over again

Back to the drawing board

An idea has been unsuccessful and a new one must be devised // plan it all over again

Back up

Defend or support

Backseat driver

Interfering in affairs without having knowledge // A person who offers unsolicited advice

Bad blood

Angry feeling // Enmity // Ill feeling // Hostility between people

Bad hair day

A day on which everything seems to go wrong

Bad hats

People of bad character

Bad iron

Bad luck

Bag and baggage

With all one’s belongings

Baker’s dozen

Thirteen units, one more than a usual dozen

Ball is in your court

It is up to you to make the next decision or step // To be responsible for further action

Ball of fire

An active and energetic person

Banana oil

Nonsensical talk

Bang for the buck

More value for money

Bark is worse than his bite

Threat is worse than the action taken

Barking up the wrong tree

Trying to do something in a way that will not work // accuse or denounce the wrong person // Prepare for a difficult situation

Batten down the hatches

Prepare for a difficult situation

Be a dab hand at something

Skilled in a particular area

Be a dead meat

To be in serious trouble

Be afraid of one’s own shadow

So nervous

Be all ears

Listening intently // eager to listen

Be all one to

Make no difference

Be an old hat

Be outdated

Be at a loss for words

Not know what to say

Be behind the times

Be old fashioned

Be down with

Suffering from

Be glad to see the back of

Be happy when a person leaves

Be going places

Talented and successful

Be hard hit

Severely affected by something unpleasant

Be hard up

Have very little money

Be in force

In great strength or numbers

Be in someone’s shoes

Face the same situation as another person

Be in the red

To be in a loss or debt // To owe money to a bank

Be in two minds

Unable to decide // Holding conflicting opinions

Be left stranded

Unable to leave somewhere because of a problem

Be like chalk and cheese

Be absolutely different

Be my guest

Feel free to do as you wish

Be Off

To go away

Be on a high alert

Be watchful and ready to take action

Be on the square

To act and speak honestly

Be out for the count

In a deep, insensible sleep

Be out of order

A device not working properly or at all

Be riding high

To be very successful

Be under no illusions

Be fully aware of the true state of affairs

Be under somebody’s thumb

Be controlled by someone completely // under control of

Be wet behind the ears

Young and inexperienced

Be worlds apart

Be very different

Bear a grudge

To feel angry against somebody for a past incident

Bear down

To move quickly towards someone in a determined and threatening way

Bear fruit

Produce positive results

Bear garden

A place of noise and disturbance

Bear in mind

Remember

Bear the brunt of

Suffer the worst of something // bear the maximum fury

Bear the palm

To win

Bear up with

Endure // to be strong enough to continue at a difficult time

Bear with

Have patience with

Beat about/around the bush

Avoiding the main topic // Speak in a round

Beat one’s brains out

To put forth one’s maximum effort

Beauty is only skin deep

Physical appearance is no guide to a person’s character

Bed of roses

A pleasant situation // An enjoyable state

Beggar description

Cannot be described

Behind closed doors

Do something secretly

Behind one’s back

Behind his sight

Behind the eight ball

In a difficult or disadvantaged situation

Behind the scenes

Secretly // unknown to everyone

Bell the cat

Do the impossible task // To face risk // do the most dangerous job

Belly laugh

A loud and unrestrained laugh