Idioms 6
1. LOAD OF BALONEY: This term refers to idle talk, or pretentious, untrue or insincere statements that nobody can believe.
- That’s a load of baloney. I don’t believe a word of it.
- It’s a load of baloney if you ask me about it.
- So, what do you think? Was he right or was just making a load of baloney.
- Nobody listens to such a load of baloney.
- I don’t know why people make such a load of baloney.
2. JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON: If a person or organisation jumps on the bandwagon, they decide to do something when it is already successful or fashionable.
- When organic food became fashionable, certain stores were quick to jump on the bandwagon and promote it.
- Publishers jumped on the CD-ROM band wagon even though they didn’t know if they could sell the CD-ROMs.
- When once he became sure of one majority they rumbled over each other to jump on the bandwagon.
- After the incredible success of Cadbury’s latest low fat-chocolate bar, Nestle has jumped on the bandwagon, and released a low fat version of kit kat.
- When Apple launches anything new, everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon.
3. BALLPARK FIGURE: If someone gives a ballpark figure, they give an approximate number of a rough estimate of the cost of something.
- I don’t want the precise cost, there is no need to calculate. Joe, give me the ballpark figure.
- She said, “Any figures of this moment are ballpark figures.”
- I don’t need an exact number. A ballpark figure will do.
- Could you please give me a ballpark figure, how much money will I have to spend on the house ?
- He was pressed whether he could give a ballpark figure.
4. BANG ONE’S HEAD AGAINST A BRICK WALL: If you bang your head against a brick wall, you continue vainly to try to achieve something in spite of several unsuccessful attempts.
- I’ve been banging my head against a brick wall trying to explain the internet to my grandmother.
- You’re wasting your time trying to figure this puzzle out. You’re just banging your head against a brick wall.
- You’re banging your head against a brick wall trying to get that dog behave properly.
- I think I am banging my head against a brick wall, just asking you to do me a favour.
- I kept asking her not park there, but it’s like banging my head against a brick wall.
5. BAITED BREATH: If you wait for something with baited breath, you are both anxious and excited about an eminent event.
- We waited with baited breath for the winner to be announced.
- I am waiting with baited breath for the upcoming events.
- We watched with baited breath to see if the mother bear would bring her baby to safety.
- He waited for a reply to his offer with baited breath.
- I am waiting for my friend’s arrival with baited breath.
6. BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN: This expression is used to say that opposing groups are ready to defend the reason behind the conflict.
- The battle lines are drawn between those who accept the changes and those who are against the proposed reforms.
- The battle lines are drawn for the leadership contest.
- Churches draw the battle lines over the moral issues.
- The battle lines are being drawn between many patients and their healthcare providers.
- The battle lines are drawn between two friends for cheating each other.
7. BE MY GUEST: This expression is used to give someone permission.
- If you’d like to use the phone. Be my guest.
- Can I use your toilet, please? Ok, be my guest.
- I don’t mind if you want to add an exclamation mark to that sentence, please be my guest.
- I would like to have some more cake, James. Oh sure! be my guest.
- Had you asked me for that, you could have been my guest.
8. BE THAT AS IT MAY: It means that what the speaker says may be true but it will not change the situation.
- Fewer people may come because of the bad weather, be that as it may, it’s too late to cancel the show.
- I am sorry to hear about your troubles, be that as it may, you still must carry out your responsibilities.
- Be that as it may, I can’t help you.
- He certainly was under pressure at that time. Be that as it may.
- We are close to achieving our goals . Be that as it may, we still have problems that must be solved.
9. BEAR THE BRUNT: A person who bears the brunt of something is the one who suffers the most when something bad or unpleasant happens.
- When things go wrong, his assistant always has to bear the brunt of his anger.
- The ordinary citizens will bear the brunt of higher taxes.
- The oldest parts of the town bore the brunt of the missile attacks.
- I am tired of bearing the brunt of her objections.
- I had to bear the brunt of her yelling and screaming.
10. BEAR FRUIT: When something bears fruit, it produces positive or successful results.
After years of handwork, his research finally began to bear fruit.
- I hope your new plan will bear fruit.
- I had many ideas but none of them could bear fruit.
- Some of the changes in the election laws are already bearing fruit.
- Opening a new store in Delhi has borne fruit for the company.