1. Authority

have (it) on good authority that

SPOKEN used in order to tell someone that the information you have comes from someone who knows the truth or the latest information about a situation, often when you do not want to mention their name: I have it on good authority that there is a waiting list of up to fifty weeks to get an appointment at the hospital.

If a plan, service, system etc gets the axe, it is ended suddenly: Davis was furious when her TV show got the axe. Managers and employees will meet to decide which programmes get the axe under a plan used by the company to get employee feedback.

3. Be left holding a baby

To be left to deal with the problems of a situation on your own, without any help from the other people who are responsible for the situation: I’ve been left holding the baby, with no money and no job, while he gets special counseling. Peterson was left holding the baby after the company restructuring ran into problems.

4. Backroom

The backroom boys

People such as scientists or engineers, who do important work but do not get much attention or fame: Oscar-winning backroom boys behind hits such as ‘Dances with Wolves’ have been signed up for the new $30 million film.

5. Bag and baggage

If you leave or go somewhere bag and baggage you take all your possessions, and do not intend to return: They quarreled again, and off she went, bag and baggage.

6. Be left holding the bag

To become responsible for something that someone else has started, even though you do not want to be: The city wants to be assured it won’t be left holding the bag if anything should happen to Birk’s development plans.

7. Carry the ball

To do all the work, or be responsible for everything, when other people should be sharing the work or responsibility. * OFTEN USED IN BUSINESS OR POLITICS: I’ve been doing all I can for years now – it’s time for someone else to carry the ball.

8. Start/get/set the ball rolling

To start a discussion or an activity, especially by being the first person to say or do something. * OFTEN USED IN BUSINESS AND POLITICS: Plastic recycling was not done much in this country until some of the big supermarkets set the ball rolling.

9. Band

A one-man band

Used about someone who does every part of an activity themselves, without any help from anyone. * OFTEN USED IN BUSINESS: Advertising agencies can be one-man bands, small outfits, or large public companies. I’m essentially a one-man band, so my costs are very low.

10. Bandit

Make out like a bandit (AmE)

SPOKEN to receive a lot of presents or money: I guess she enjoyed her birthday – she certainly made out like a bandit. Connie’s kids make out like bandits every Christmas.

Longman Idioms dictionary 6000 idioms

p.22 sb has a bee in his\her bonnet (about sth)

SPOKEN used in order to say that someone thinks something is more important that it really is and keeps thinking or talking about it: She’s always writing to the BBC, complaining about their use of English; she’s got a bee in her bonnet about it.

BEELINE make a beeline for

To go quickly and directly towards someone or something: The train was full of commuters who were making a beeline for the bar. I’m so shy at a party that I make a beeline for someone I know so I won’t have to talk to a stranger.

p.23 beg , borrow, or steal == to do everything possible in order to obtain something:

Beggars can’t be choosers – spoken – used to say that in a bad situation in which you are limited to only one or two choices of things to do, you have to accept that you cannot have what you would like most: “I need somewhere to go, but I can’t go to his house!” “Beggars can’t be choosers” – that’s the position of women in the workforce today.

Bells and whistles – extra features added to a product that are not necessary but will make people think that it is special: We can’t put the bells and whistles onto a job that will only bring us £2000 of income. Many computer users will never need half of the bells and whistles in this word-processing package.

Bellyful I”ve had a bellyful (of) spoken a rude way of saying that you are bored and annoyed because something has happened too much: You stay if you want – “I’ve had a bellyful. I’ve had a bellyful of her complaints.

Belly-up to go belly-up

If a company goes belly-up, it fails. Brokerage firms that go belly-up are protected by law.

With the casinos going belly-up, and with other states expanding into gambling, what does Nevada have left?

Tighten your belts to spend less money because you have less than you used to have.

You’d better believe!

Bike get on your bike! Spoken a rude expression used in order to tell someone to go away.

There is nothing for you here, mate. On your bike, then.

A bird brain

A little bird told me.

Birthday suit in one’s birthday suit = not wearing any clothes.

It’s\that’s a bit much spoken used to say that what someone has said, done or asked is unfair, unreasonable, or rude

Bite bite me! Slang a rude expression used when you are very annoyed or angry because someone has just said something rude or insulting to you: “Come on we all know you’re just too scared to do it!” – “Look, bite me, OK?”

Sb won’t bite used in order to say that there is no reason to be afraid of someone in authority: “Go and ask him if he”ll help you he won’t bite”.

Once bitten, twice shy used in order to say if you have failed or been hurt at once, you will be very careful next time.

Be in the black = to have money in your bank account: Peter said that the company was still in the black, but it would probably have to make job cuts.

Bleed sb dry\white to make the financial situation of a person, country, organization etc weaker by making it use all its money, strength, and energy.

Sweat blood

= to work hard in order to achieve something: People have sweated blood to build up their businesses, and now they fill threatened..

Be too rich for one’s blood

Used to say that something is too expensive for you. “This one is priced at $35,88” “It’s a good price but a little too rich for my blood”.

You big girl’s blouse spoken humorous and slightly insulting expression said when a boy or man is not being brave: Go on then, try and hit me, you big girl’s blouse.