| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Busy as a bee | Refers to someone who is energetically occupied with tasks or responsibilities, often bustling with activity. | Ever since the project started, I’ve been as busy as a bee trying to meet all the deadlines. |
| Busy as a beehive | Describes a place, such as an office or shop, that is teeming with people and activity. | The restaurant was as busy as a beehive during the lunch rush, with staff darting around serving customers. |
| But me no buts | A phrase used to dismiss excuses and demand compliance without argument. | I need that report on my desk by noon. But me no buts, just get it done! |
| There are no buts about it | Used to assert a statement firmly, leaving no room for doubt or disagreement. | He was caught red-handed in the act; there are no buts about it—he needs to take responsibility. |
| Butcher, baker, candlestick maker | Refers to people engaged in traditional crafts or professions, often used to signify various skills. | In the quaint village, you could find all the locals—each one a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker—supporting the community. |
| Chief cook and bottle washer | A person who handles many tasks, often managing both significant responsibilities and minor details. | As the owner of the café, I’m the chief cook and bottle washer, juggling everything from the menu to the cleaning. |
| Butter someone up | To flatter or praise someone with the intention of gaining their favour or assistance. | I’m not trying to butter up my boss; I genuinely believe she deserves recognition for her hard work. |
| Oil someone up | To provide someone with information or advice, or to flatter them in a way similar to buttering up. | Before the big meeting, I’ll oil him up about the latest changes in our strategy to ensure he’s prepared. |
| Buy it | To accept or believe something, often with a sense of skepticism or doubt. | He was skeptical about the new policy, wondering if anyone would actually buy it without questions. |
| Get it | To understand something or, in a different context, to receive punishment. | I really didn’t get it when the professor explained the theory; it was too complex for me to grasp. |
| Buy someone off | To bribe someone to influence their actions or decisions. | The company was accused of buying off officials to secure favorable regulations. |
| Buy someone out | To purchase a person’s stake in a business or property, or to gain their freedom through payment. | After years of partnership, she decided to buy him out to take full control of the business. |
| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Buy the farm | A colloquial expression meaning to die, often in a sudden or violent manner. | After the accident, everyone thought I was going to buy the farm, but luckily, I escaped with only a few bruises. |
| Sell the farm | To sell all one’s assets to invest in a risky new venture or to act impulsively. | The business has seen better days, but don’t sell the farm yet; we might turn it around with the right strategy. |
| By a fraction | To indicate a very small amount or degree, often in a context where precision matters. | She missed the target by a fraction, narrowly avoiding the bullseye in the archery competition. |
| To a fraction | Refers to achieving something with great precision or accuracy. | He measured the ingredients to a fraction, ensuring the recipe turned out perfect every time. |
| By a hair’s breadth | Signifies a very narrow escape or a close call, highlighting minimal difference. | The car just avoided the collision by a hair’s breadth, and the driver let out a sigh of relief. |
| To a hair’s breadth | Achieving something with extreme precision or detail. | The artist painted the details to a hair’s breadth, capturing every nuance of the subject. |
| By air | Referring to transportation via aircraft, usually implying speed or efficiency. | We decided to ship the products by air to ensure they arrived on time for the launch. |
| Over the air | Used to describe something transmitted via radio or broadcasted publicly. | The announcement was made over the air, reaching thousands of listeners across the region. |
| By all means | A phrase used to encourage or confirm that something should be done without hesitation. | If you want to ask her for help, by all means, go ahead; she’s very approachable. |
| By any means | Indicates that all possible methods or approaches should be employed to achieve a goal. | We are determined to complete this project by any means, even if it requires long hours and extra resources. |
| By and by | Refers to a future time that is not specific but indicates soon or before long. | By and by, we’ll find the answers we need; patience is key in research. |
| By the by | An expression used to introduce a new topic or add a comment casually or incidentally. | By the by, have you heard about the new restaurant opening downtown? |
| By any chance | A polite way to ask if something is possible or to inquire about a situation. | I was wondering if by any chance you could join us for dinner tomorrow night. |
| By chance | Indicates something happening accidentally or unpredictably without intention. | We ran into each other by chance at the market after so many years; it was a pleasant surprise. |
| By choice | Refers to something done voluntarily, without coercion. | She decided to leave her job by choice to pursue her passion for painting. |
| Of choice | Indicates a preferred option, especially regarding drugs, treatment, or other selections. | The new medication became the drug of choice for treating the condition due to its effectiveness and fewer side effects. |
We hope this information has been valuable to you. If so, please consider a monetary donation to Lifestyle Training Centre via UPI. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Would you like to undergo training for OET, PTE, IELTS, Duolingo, Phonetics, or Spoken English with us? Kindly contact us now!
📱 Call/WhatsApp/Text: +91 9886926773
📧 Email: [email protected]
Visit us in person by following the directions on Google Maps. We look forward to welcoming you to the Lifestyle Training Centre.
Follow Lifestyle Training Centre on social media:
Thank you very much!