Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц
Шрифт:
[break-up]{n.} The end of a relationship, personal or commercial. •/The break-up finally occurred when Smith and Brown decided to sue each other for embezzlement./
[break with]{v.} To separate yourself from; end membership in; stop friendly association with. •/He broke with the Democratic party on the question of civil rights./ •/He had broken with some friends who had changed in their ideas./
[breast] See: MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF.
[breath] See: CATCH ONE’S BREATH, DRAW A LONG BREATH or TAKE A LONG BREATH, HOLD ONE’S BREATH, IN THE SAME BREATH, OUT OF BREATH, SAVE ONE’S BREATH, SECOND WIND also SECOND BREATH, TAKE ONE’S BREATH AWAY, UNDER ONE’S BREATH, WASTE ONE’S BREATH.
[breathe down one’s neck]{v. phr.}, {informal} To follow closely; threaten from behind; watch every action. •/Too many creditors were breathing down his neck./ •/The carpenter didn’t like to work for Mr. Jones, who was always breathing down his neck./
[breathe easily] or [breathe freely]{v.} To have relief from difficulty or worry; relax; feel that trouble is gone; stop worrying. •/Now that the big bills were paid, he breathed more easily./ •/His mother didn’t breathe easily until he got home that night./
[breathe one’s last]{v. phr.} To die. •/The wounded soldier fell back on the ground and breathed his last./
[bred in the bone]{adj. phr.} Belonging to your nature or character, especially from early teaching or long habit; natural from belief or habit; believing deeply. •/The Willett children’s cleanness is bred in the none./ Often used, with hyphens before the noun. •/Joe is a bred-in-the-bone horseman; he has been riding since he was six./ Contrast: SKIN-DEEP.
[breeches] See: TOO BIG FOR ONE’S BREECHES.
[breeze] See: SHOOT THE BREEZE or BAT THE BREEZE or FAN THE BREEZE, WIN IN A WALK or WIN IN A BREEZE.
[breeze in]{v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To walk into a place casually (like a soft blowing wind). •/Betsie breezed in and sat down at the bar./
[brew] See: HOME BREW.
[brick] See: MAKE BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW.
[brick wall] See: STONE WALL.
[bridge] See: BURN ONE’S BRIDGES, CROSS A BRIDGE BEFORE ONE COMES TO IT, WATER OVER THE DAM or WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE.
[brief] See: HOLD A BRIEF FOR, IN BRIEF or IN SHORT or IN A WORD.
[bright and early]{adj. phr.} Prompt and alert; on time and ready; cheerful and on time or before time. •/He came down bright and early to breakfast./ •/She arrived bright and early for the appointment./
[bring about]{v.} To cause; produce; lead to. •/The war had brought about great changes in living./ •/Drink brought about his downfall./
[bring around] or [bring round]{v.} 1. {informal} To restore to health or consciousness cure. •/He was quite ill, but good nursing brought him around./ Compare: BRING TO(1). 2. To cause a change in thinking; persuade; convince; make willing. •/After a good deal of discussion he brought her round to his way of thinking./
[bringdown]{n.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. (from "bring down", past "brought down"). A critical or cutting remark said sarcastically in order to deflate a braggard’s ego. •/John always utters the right bringdown when he encounters a braggard./ 2. A person who depresses and saddens others by being a chronic complainer. •/John is a regular bringdown./
[bring down]{v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} 1. To deflate (someone’s ego). •/John brought Ted down very cleverly with his remarks./ 2. To depress (someone). •/The funeral brought me down completely./
[bring down about one’s ears] or [bring down around one’s ears] See: ABOUT ONE’S EARS.
[bring down the house]{v. phr.}, {informal} To start an audience laughing or clapping enthusiastically. •/The principal’s story was funny in itself and also touched their loyalties, so it brought down the house./ •/The President made a fine speech which brought down the house./
[bring home]{v.} To show clearly; emphasize; make (someone) realize; demonstrate. •/The accident caused a death in his family, and it brought home to him the evil of drinking while driving./ •/A parent or teacher should bring home to children the value and pleasure of reading./
[bring home the bacon]{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To support your family; earn the family living. •/He was a steady fellow, who always brought home the bacon./ 2. To win a game or prize. •/The football team brought home the bacon./