Explore popular idioms beginning with the letter 'B' and enhance your language skills while having fun.

American Idioms Starting With B

To ask the wrong person. To make the wrong choice. ex. "The gangster told the cops they were barking up the wrong tree in thinking he was responsible for the robbery."

To like, idolize, or admire someone/ or something. ex. "I'm not a big fan of heavy metal music."

To avoid getting to the point. ex. "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think."

A person who's famous/ well-known but only in an unimportant area/ town.

Used at the beginning sentence to state that something is true whether one chooses to believe it or not. ex. "Believe it or not, I still care for her."

The worst, least accepted member of a family.

To struggle not to say something that you want to say. ex. "I wanted to tell her everything, but I had to bite my tongue because I had promised Bill I would not (tell her)."

To reveal someone's secret, or true identity. ex. "The spy was very careful not to blow her cover."

To do something that hasn't been done before. To innovate. ex. "Dr. Davis was breaking new ground in cancer research."

To cause someone (strong) emotional pain. ex. "Fiona broke James' heart when she refused to marry him."

To tell someone some important news, usually bad news. ex. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your wife has been cheating on you."

(To) break the news to someone/ to break "it" to someone