Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

(Leave a) Bad taste in your mouth: To leave a bad feeling or memory with someone.
Baker’s dozen: A baker’s dozen is 13 rather than 12.

Bald as a coot: Completely bald.

Ball is in your court: When the ball is in your court, it is your turn to act or make the next decision.
Banana republic: This is a term used for small countries that are dependent on a single crop or resource, and governed badly by a corrupt elite.

Banana skin: Something that is an embarrassment or causes problems.

Bandit territory: An area or an industry/profession, where rules and laws are ignored or flouted.
Baptism of fire: Any unpleasant experience undergone, usually a learning experience too; a soldier’s first experience of battle.

Bare your heart/soul: To tell someone your personal and private feelings.

Barefaced liar: A person who feels and shows no shame about lying even if exposed
His bark is worse than his bite: Such people display their anger very loudly but they don’t go further than this

Barking up the wrong tree: Making a mistake or a false assumption in something you are trying to achieve

Barrack-room lawyer: A person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak on

Basket case: An infirm or failing person or thing, not in a fit position to function properly. Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. Currently it is used more for any failing organisation or scheme

Bat an eyelid: When someone doesn’t bat an eyelid, they don’t react or show any emotion when surprised or shocked

Bated breath: ‘Waiting with bated breath’ is the frequently used form of this idiom. It means being very excited and finding it hard to wait

Batten down the hatches: If you batten down the hatches, you prepare for the worst that could happen

Battle of nerves: A situation where both sides in a conflict are ready to wait for the other side to weaken

Be out in force: To be present somewhere in large numbers

Be out in left field: Not knowing what’s going on. This is derived from baseball, as less capable players are assigned to the outfield where the ball is less likely to be hit by a player