| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Boil down | To be reduced in volume or intensity through the process of boiling. | After hours of simmering, the fruit juice began to boil down into a thick syrup. |
| Boil up | To escalate or develop, often referring to a conflict or tense situation. | Tensions were starting to boil up between the two teams as the championship match approached. |
| Boil something down | To summarise or condense information to its most essential points. | During the meeting, she boiled down the lengthy report into a few key takeaways for the team. |
| Boil something up | To prepare by boiling, often used in the context of food or beverages. | The chef decided to boil up a hearty stew for dinner, filling the kitchen with delightful aromas. |
| Bold as a lion | Extremely brave or courageous, particularly when faced with danger or challenges. | In the face of adversity, she remained bold as a lion, advocating for her beliefs without fear. |
| Bold as an Essex lion | Ironic phrase describing someone who is usually timid but behaves boldly when there’s no threat. | He acts bold as an Essex lion when he’s in the safety of his friends, but he’s really quite shy. |
| Bon mot | A witty remark or clever statement, often sharp or humorous. | At the party, his bon mot about the weather had everyone in fits of laughter. |
| Good word | A positive recommendation or commendation about someone’s character or abilities. | I’m hoping you could put in a good word for me with the hiring manager after our conversation. |
| Bona fide | Genuine or authentic; done in good faith without any intent to deceive. | Only bona fide customers will receive discounts on their next purchase. |
| Bona fides | Proof of one’s good faith or authenticity, often in a professional context. | The contractor provided his bona fides to reassure us of his qualifications for the job. |
| Boob tube (UK) | A strapless top for women that covers the upper body, often associated with summer fashion. | She wore a stylish boob tube with her high-waisted shorts to the beach party. |
| Boob tube (U.S. sl.) | Informal term for television, often implying mindless or low-quality programming. | After a long day at work, he enjoyed unwinding in front of the boob tube with his favourite sitcom. |
| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Book agent | A representative who facilitates the sale of books, often by connecting authors with publishers or retailers. | The author was relieved to finally find a reliable book agent who understood her vision for the novel. |
| Booking agent | An official responsible for reserving and selling tickets, typically in travel or event settings. | The booking agent handled all the arrangements for the tour, ensuring everyone had their tickets in advance. |
| Book-holder | A term for a prompter in theatre, someone who assists actors by reminding them of their lines. | In the old theatre, the book-holder sat discreetly at the side of the stage, ready to assist if any actor faltered. |
| Book-keeper | A professional who maintains financial records and accounts for a business or organisation. | After years of hard work, she was promoted to book-keeper, overseeing all financial transactions in the company. |
| Book of Psalms, the | A section of the Old Testament containing a collection of poetic songs and prayers. | The pastor recited verses from the Book of Psalms, inspiring the congregation with its timeless wisdom. |
| Psalm-book | A collection of Psalms, often set to music for worship or personal use. | The choir rehearsed their new hymns, referring to the psalm-book for the lyrics and melodies. |
| Book of words | Instructions or guidelines, often provided in a printed format for clarity. | He searched for the book of words to help him assemble the new furniture he had just purchased. |
| Word-book | A compilation of words and their meanings or the libretto of a musical. | The musician consulted the word-book to ensure he had accurately translated the opera’s libretto. |
| Book someone in | To formally register someone’s arrival or attendance, often at a hotel or an event. | Upon entering the hotel, the receptionist quickly booked her in and handed her the room key. |
| Bring someone to book | To hold someone accountable for their actions, especially in a disciplinary context. | After the scandal, the committee promised to bring those responsible to book for their misdeeds. |
| Bookman | An individual with a deep passion for books, often well-read and knowledgeable about literature. | As a true bookman, he could discuss various authors and their works with great enthusiasm. |
| Handbook man | A person who deals with gambling or bookmakers, often in an informal or illicit context. | The handbook man at the bar was always ready to take bets on the big game happening that weekend. |
| Books of Kings, | Biblical texts detailing the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. | The historian spent years studying the Books of Kings to understand the political landscape of ancient Israel. |
| Books of the Four Kings | An archaic term referring to playing cards, symbolising royal figures in card games. | As the friends gathered for a night of games, they jokingly referred to their card deck as the Books of the Four Kings. |
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