Showing 11-21 of 21
Break the ice
To break the ice means to do or say something that helps people feel more relaxed when they first meet or when a situation feels awkward. It is commonly used in social situations, meetings, or group activities. The phrase originated from breaking the ice around a ship so it can start to sail.She told a friendly joke to break the ice.
Breath of fresh air
The idiom a breath of fresh air means a person or a thing that is a refreshing change.Our new hire is a breath of fresh air in our office.
Breeding like rabbits
The phrase breeding like rabbits refers to the rabbit's ability to breed at an astonishing rate. People use this idiom when they talk about something that suddenly is around in large numbers, whether it is another animal that is literally breeding, or something that is figuratively breeding, like unfinished jobs or odd socks.How do you have so many shoes? They must be breeding like rabbits!
Bring Home the Bacon
The phrase bring home the bacon means to earn money for your family. It can also mean achieving success.This idiom dates back to when bacon and other goods were used as payment for work.
She works hard to bring home the bacon.
Bull in a china shop
You might be called a bull in a china shop if you are being careless or reckless in a situation that you can cause damage. It might mean someone who is physically clumsy or has tactless behaviour.He came into the meeting like a bull in a china shop and ruined all our negotiations.
Burn the midnight oil
The phrase burn the midnight oil means to work late into the night. It comes from a time when oil lamps were used for light. People use this idiom to describe studying or working long hours to finish something important.She burned the midnight oil to finish the report.
By the skin of your teeth
The phrase by the skin of your teeth means barely succeeding. It could also mean to narrowly avoid disaster.Your teeth have no skin on them, so this idiom is drawn from the impossible measurement of how thick the skin on your teeth is. A similar impossible idiom is rare as hen's teeth.
I caught the bus by the skin of my teeth.
It's the bee's knees
The bee's knees is slang for something that is excellent. A similar idiom is "the cat's pajamas".This cafe is just the bee's knees!
The ball is in your court
The idiom the ball is in your court means that it is your turn to do something, usually in the context of a decision-making process or a work project.This phrase originated from games like tennis where you need to return a ball when it comes to you.
I've gone as far as I can go with this, now the ball is in your court.
The best of both worlds
You have the best of both worlds if you are benefiting from two completely different situations at the same time.You have a garden but you still live right by the city? Wow, that's the best of both worlds!