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English Idioms and Phrases Starting With “B”

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Elan Yash

Elan is head of design and tech. He's also a contributor at Grammarflex.

Idioms Beginning with B

Idioms are fascinating expressions in English where the meaning isn’t obvious from the individual words. They add color and depth to our language. Understanding them is key to truly mastering English communication.

This post is dedicated to idioms that begin with the letter ‘B’. You’ll find a comprehensive list of common “B” idioms, their meanings, and how they’re used in everyday conversation.

What are Idioms?

An idiom is a phrase or expression where the meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definition of its words. For example, “kick the bucket” doesn’t literally mean to kick a bucket; it means to die. Idioms are a crucial part of native-like fluency.

They are used constantly in both spoken and written English, making conversations more vibrant and engaging. Mastering idioms can significantly improve your comprehension and expression.

List of Idioms Starting with “B”

Idiom/Phrase Meaning
Back to the beginning/back at square one To start over again, to be forced to repeat the same process from the start.
Bad blood Resentment or hostility between people or groups, usually from past disagreements.
A bad apple A single person who has a bad influence on a group.
[to be a] Back-seat driver A passenger who constantly gives unsolicited advice or criticism to the driver; metaphorically, someone who interferes with another’s work without having responsibility.
Bring home the bacon To earn money, especially to support one’s family.
Back room boys People who do important work but who have no contact with the public.
Badger someone into doing something To pester or annoy someone until they do what you want.
Bare bones For something to be the most basic, stripped down, or rudimentary version.
Bare necessities To have only what is needed or necessary; just enough or sufficient.
Bare naked Meaning nude or exposed; naked.
[to get the best] Bang for your buck To get the most value or advantage for your money or effort.
Bare minimum To do the smallest or least amount possible.
To bark up the wrong tree To pursue a mistaken course of action; to make a wrong choice in an attempt to achieve something.
To bare one’s breasts To leave yourself open or vulnerable to something/someone.
To bare one’s teeth To display anger or a threatening reaction to something/someone.
Bear with me To be patient with me; to wait.
Beck and call To be entirely at someone’s service; ready to obey any command.
Bet your dollars to doughnuts To be so certain something will happen that you’d wager something more valuable to something less valuable.
Bet a huckleberry to a persimmon To wager a small amount; implying something is highly likely.
Brain-burned Displaying the adverse effects of drug use, especially cognitive impairment.
[you can] Bet on it or that! To be sure of something.
To be burnt [or burned] out To be tired/worn out from overwork.
To bet on the wrong horse To support the wrong thing or something that didn’t prove successful.
To burn (something or someone) to a cinder For something to be burned badly or completely.
To bet your farm on it You can be sure of something; to be extremely confident.
To burn a hole in one’s pocket Suggesting that the person with the money feels the need to spend it quickly.
A burn notice Said of something that’s being disavowed; or “A dismissal of an agent or source an intelligence agency considers to have become unreliable.”
To burn one’s boats/bridges To squander one’s relationships/business connections.
Burn some clock To use up some amount of time.
To burn both ends of the candle To overwork yourself.
Burn not your house to fright the mouse away Don’t overreact to minor problems.
To burn the midnight oil To stay up late working on a task or project.
Common idioms and phrases starting with “B”.

More from Grammarflex

FAQs

What is an idiom?
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An idiom is a phrase or expression where the meaning cannot be understood from the literal definition of its individual words. It’s a common phrase unique to a language.

Why are idioms important in English?
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Idioms add color and depth to language, making communication more vibrant and engaging. Understanding them is crucial for native-like fluency and comprehending everyday conversation.

How do you learn idioms?
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The best way to learn idioms is through exposure and practice. Reading, listening to native speakers, and actively trying to use them in context can help you master them.

Can idioms be translated directly?
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No, idioms generally cannot be translated directly word-for-word into another language, as their meaning is figurative and specific to their original language.

What is the meaning of “bring home the bacon”?
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“Bring home the bacon” means to earn money, especially to support one’s family or household.

Yash, D. "Idioms Starting with B." Grammarflex, Jun 13, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/idioms-starting-with-b/.

Sources

Sources

  1. Various online idiom dictionaries.
  2. Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries.

Worksheet

Question 1 of 10

According to the post, what is the main characteristic of an idiom?



What does the idiom “bring home the bacon” mean?



If someone tells you to “bear with me,” what are they asking you to do?



Which idiom means “to start over again” or “to be forced to repeat a process from the start”?



What does “to bark up the wrong tree” imply?



If someone is described as a “back-seat driver,” what does that usually mean?



The phrase “bare minimum” refers to:



What does it mean if there is “bad blood” between people?



Which idiom refers to someone who is a bad influence on a group?



What is the meaning of “to bare one’s teeth”?





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