Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

Blackball: To vote against allowing someone to be a member of an organisation or group, you are blackballing him or her.

Blank cheque: To give a blank cheque to someone is to allow them to use as much money as they like for something, or do as they please.

Blank slate: Something that hasn’t been developed as yet or described in any detail.
Bleeding edge: A technology or process that is at the forefront or beyond current practices, but because it is unproven, it is often dangerous to use, hence ‘bleeding’.

Bleeding heart: Someone who is very sympathetic towards other people.
Blessing in disguise: A misfortune or bad luck that eventually has positive results or consequences.
Blind acceptance: To accept something without the slightest of doubt.
Blind leading the blind: When those in charge of something don’t know anything more than the people they are in charge of.

Blind-sided: To be taken completely by surprise by some event with a negative impact.
Blink of an eye: Something that happens so fast that it is almost impossible to notice it.
Blood and thunder: An emotional speech or performance.
Blood from a turnip: Just as you can’t get blood from a turnip, you can’t get something from someone when they don’t have it.

Blood is thicker than water: It means that family relationships are stronger than others.
Blood out of a stone: When something is like getting blood out of a stone, it is very difficult.
Blood, sweat and tears: Something that is very difficult and requires a lot of effort and sacrifice.
Blow a fuse: To become uncontrollably angry.

Blow by blow: A blow-by-blow description gives every detail in sequence.
Blow hot and cold: When someone blows hot and cold, their attitude and opinions keep changing very quickly.
Blow me down: People say ‘blow me down’ when they hear something surprising, shocking or unexpected.
Blow off steam: To express anger or frustration.

Blow smoke: To exaggerate or say things that are not true, usually done to make themselves look better.
Blow the cobwebs away: To make sweeping changes to something to bring fresh views and ideas in.