Idiom | Explanation | Example |
---|---|---|
Badlands | An area of land where erosion by wind and water has created steep, barren landscapes, making it difficult to navigate or cultivate. | Farmers abandoned the area as it turned into badlands, with deep gullies and cracked soil everywhere. |
Bad Loser | Someone who reacts poorly to losing, often displaying bad sportsmanship or resentment. | After losing the match, he stormed off the field, proving himself to be a bad loser. |
Two-time Loser | Refers to someone who has been defeated or failed twice, whether in competitions or in criminal activities (twice convicted). | As a two-time loser, Jake found it hard to escape his past mistakes. |
Bad Money | Counterfeit or fake currency that holds no real value and can cause problems in circulation. | The shopkeeper immediately recognised the bad money and called the authorities to report it. |
A Bad Penny | A person or thing that is unpleasant but keeps returning or reappearing, often when least expected. | Just when I thought I’d seen the last of him, he showed up again like a bad penny. |
Bad Money Drives Out Good | A saying that worthless things or people often replace more valuable ones, diminishing the overall quality. | In times of economic downturn, bad money drives out good, leaving businesses with few high-quality options. |
A Bad Penny Always Turns Up | The idea that an unwelcome person or event will inevitably return, no matter how much one tries to avoid it. | No matter where he went, his old rival always found a way to reappear—proving that a bad penny always turns up. |
Bad Mouth | To speak negatively or spread malicious gossip about someone or something. | She always bad mouths her colleagues behind their backs, which is why no one trusts her. |
Foul Mouth | A person who habitually uses vulgar or offensive language. | His foul mouth got him into trouble at work when he swore during a meeting. |
Idiom | Explanation | Example |
---|---|---|
Bad News | Refers to something or someone unpleasant, troublesome, or likely to cause problems. | Ever since the new boss took over, the office has been full of tension—he’s just bad news. |
What’s the Bad News | A humorous way of asking how much money one owes, typically when expecting a high bill. | After looking at the restaurant bill, I nervously asked the waiter, “So, what’s the bad news?” |
Bad Quarter of an Hour | A short, intense period of discomfort, stress, or difficulty. | He had a bad quarter of an hour during the interview when he couldn’t answer the tough questions. |
Good Quarter of an Hour | A solid span of at least 15 minutes, often implying a productive or enjoyable time. | We spent a good quarter of an hour discussing future travel plans. |
Bad Time | An inappropriate moment or a period in life marked by hardship. | It’s a bad time to ask for a raise when the company is cutting costs. |
Bad Times | Refers to an era of economic or personal struggle, often marked by hardship or instability. | The 1930s were bad times for many families, struggling through the Great Depression. |
Bag of Wind | A colloquial term for a person who talks a lot but says very little of substance, often pompous or boastful. | Ignore him, he’s just a bag of wind who loves to hear himself talk. |
Windbag | A person who talks excessively, usually in a self-important or boring way. | The speaker was such a windbag, going on and on without making any real points. |
The Ball is in Someone’s Court | Indicates that the responsibility to take the next action or decision lies with another person. | I’ve given him all the information, now the ball is in his court to decide what to do next. |
Have the Ball at One’s Feet | To be in a favourable or advantageous position to act or make a strategic decision. | With all the resources at her disposal, she really has the ball at her feet to launch a successful business. |
Bang on the Door | To knock loudly or forcefully on a door, often to get attention or in frustration. | The children banged on the door, demanding to be let inside after playing in the rain. |
Bang the Door | To slam a door shut with force, often in anger or frustration. | He stormed out of the room, banging the door behind him. |
Bar Girl | A woman working in a bar, serving drinks or sometimes engaging with customers for companionship. | She worked as a bar girl to support herself through college, making decent tips every night. |
Bar Maid | A woman serving drinks in a bar or pub, similar to a bar girl, often used in a more traditional or formal setting. | The bar maid skillfully balanced multiple trays of drinks as she made her way through the crowded pub. |
Bargain Counter | A section in a store where items are sold at a reduced price, usually perceived as a place to find deals. | The bargain counter had some incredible deals on winter clothing, so I picked up a few jackets. |
Bargaining Counter | A leverage or advantage that one holds in negotiations, used to gain a better position or outcome. | The threat of a strike was the union’s strongest bargaining counter during the negotiations with management. |
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