| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Branch out | 1. When a tree extends its branches in various directions, creating a larger canopy. 2. To diverge from a main path or route. 3. To explore new interests or activities beyond one’s current focus. | As her gardening skills improved, she decided to branch out into landscape design, taking on larger projects. |
| Brand-name dropping | A conversation technique where individuals mention the brands of products they own to impress others, often perceived as pretentious. | During dinner, he couldn’t help but engage in brand-name dropping, casually mentioning his latest Apple products. |
| Name-dropping | The act of casually mentioning the names of famous or influential people to boost one’s own status or impress others. | Her constant name-dropping during conversations made it hard to tell if she was truly friends with the celebrities she mentioned. |
| Brand-iron | 1. A metal framework used to support burning logs or firewood. 2. A heated tool for branding livestock or objects, often seen in farming contexts. | The blacksmith prepared the brand-iron to mark the cattle before they were sent out to pasture. |
| Branding iron | A tool heated and used for marking livestock, ensuring ownership is identifiable through a unique symbol or design. | The rancher used the branding iron to imprint his mark on the calves, establishing his claim on them. |
| Brass hat | 1. A colloquial term for a high-ranking officer or influential figure, particularly in military or governmental contexts. 2. Any individual with significant authority or power. | The brass hats gathered to discuss the new military strategy, ensuring all top officials were on the same page. |
| Tin hat | A helmet made of metal, traditionally worn by soldiers or workers to protect against falling debris or projectiles. | In the construction site, all workers were required to wear a tin hat to ensure their safety from overhead hazards. |
| Brave it out | To confront a challenging or intimidating situation with courage and determination. | Despite the thunderstorm, they decided to brave it out and finish their camping trip. |
| Put up a brave front | To pretend to be strong or courageous, especially when feeling scared or anxious internally. | Even though she was scared about her surgery, she put up a brave front for her family, trying to reassure them. |
| Breach of arrest | A military term referring to a situation where a person under arrest exceeds the boundaries of their confinement. | He was charged with a breach of arrest after leaving the designated area while awaiting trial. |
| Breach of arrestment | A legal term in Scotland referring to the illegal transfer of property that is under court control. | The defendant faced severe penalties for committing a breach of arrestment by selling the seized assets. |
| Break a fly upon the wheel | To expend excessive effort on a minor issue, suggesting that such attention is unnecessary. | Trying to correct every minor error in the report felt like breaking a fly upon the wheel; it wasn’t worth the hassle. |
| Fly on the wheel | A person who mistakenly believes they hold significant importance or influence but actually does not. | The committee chair was like a fly on the wheel, thinking his decisions were crucial while everyone else ignored him. |
| Break an agreement | To violate the terms of a previously established agreement or contract. | If either party decides to break the agreement, they may face legal consequences. |
| Break off an agreement | To terminate or cancel an existing agreement, often due to rising tensions or disagreements. | The two companies decided to break off the agreement after failing to reach a mutual understanding. |
| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Break away | To separate or detach from something, often unexpectedly or forcefully. | During the storm, a piece of the roof broke away, leaving the house exposed to the elements. |
| Break off | 1. To detach or separate from something. 2. To stop speaking abruptly. 3. To take a short pause in an activity. | She had to break off her conversation when she saw her friend walk into the room. |
| Break out | To suddenly start or erupt, especially referring to events like wars, fires, or conflicts. | The news reported that a major protest broke out downtown, leading to several arrests. |
| Break camp | To pack up and leave a campsite, usually after spending the night or several days there. | After enjoying breakfast, we decided to break camp and continue our hiking adventure. |
| Break out of camp | To escape from a confined or detention area, typically used in a military or prison context. | The prisoners devised a plan to break out of camp under the cover of darkness. |
| Break down | 1. To cease functioning, particularly regarding machinery. 2. To fail to progress as expected. 3. To lose emotional control. | When the computer broke down during the presentation, he had to improvise with his notes. |
| Break up | 1. To disintegrate into smaller parts. 2. To end an event or gathering. 3. To laugh uncontrollably. 4. To end a romantic relationship. | The couple decided to break up after realizing they wanted different things from life. |
| Break even | To reach a point where profits and losses are equal, resulting in no financial gain or loss. | The local bakery needed to sell 200 cupcakes to break even on their expenses for the day. |
| Get an even break | To receive a fair opportunity or treatment, similar to others. | He felt that despite his hard work, he could never get an even break in his career compared to his peers. |
| Break into a bank | To forcibly enter a bank with the intent to commit robbery. | The detectives investigated the crime scene where the gang had planned to break into a bank. |
| Break the bank | 1. To win all the money at a gambling table. 2. To be excessively expensive. | She found a beautiful dress that she loved, but it would definitely break the bank if she bought it. |
| Break it down | 1. To simplify or clarify something for better understanding. 2. To ask someone to stop their behavior. | Let me break it down for you; the project has three phases that need to be completed in sequence. |
| Break it up | 1. To disperse a crowd or group. 2. To stop a fight or disagreement between individuals. | The teacher had to break it up when the two students started arguing loudly in class. |
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