Idioms 7

1. BEAR IN MIND: If a person asks you to bear something in mind, they are asking you to remember it because it is important.

  • You must bear in mind that the cost of living in New York is high.
  • I always bear in mind my parents advice.
  • Repair work on older buildings is an expensive business that’s always something to bear in mind.
  • Bearing in mind, I have very little money. I can’t go for shopping.
  • Always bear in your mind the traffic rules when you drive.

2. BEAT AROUND THE BUSH: This expression is used to tell someone to say what they have to say. Clearly and directly, even if it is unpleasant.

  • Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me what has been decided.
  • Don’t beat around the bush. And tell me what is the matter.
  • Quit beating around the bush and tell me what you really think about my idea.
  • Stop beating around the bush and answer my question.
  • Quit the habit of beating around the bush.

3. IT BEATS ME: This expression is used to express surprise at something that you find difficult to understand.

  • It beats me how he can live in that horrible apartment.
  • It beats me how she managed to survive for six months alone in the mountains.
  • It beats me how you could get that job.
  • What beats me is why you stay with him.
  • It beats us why she went out with him.

4. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: This expression is used to indicate that the speaker is familiar with the situation mentioned. It can also refer to an attitude which reflects a certain boredom at the idea of repeating an experience that has lost its novelty.
 

  • His suggestion produced a ‘been there, done that’ attitude which undermined him.
  •  Hey! do you know indian cricket team has gone to Australia. Been there, done that.
  • Remember, you have a reputation to uphold. Been there, done that.
  • Damn, I have forgotten my notepad. Been there, done that.
  • George, would you like to go to see the Taj with us. Been there, done that.

5. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT: If something takes place so suddenly that you don’t have time to become aware of it, it happens before you know it or before you know where you are.

  • The doorbell rang and before we know it, a surprise party was underway.
  • If you keep spending money like that, you’ll be broke before you know it.
  • She’ll be there before you know it.
  • We’ll be on our way out again before they know it.
  • Enjoy your freedom! Before you know it, you’ll be married and setting down with children.

6. BEGGARS CAN’T BE CHOOSERS: This expression means that you should not reject an offer if it is the only possibility you have.

  • You should take that offer, beggars can’t be choosers.
  • I would have preferred a house of my own rather than sharing, but I suppose beggars can’t be choosers.
  • I asked Thomas to lend me his new bicycle but he gave me an old one. So I thought beggars can’t be choosers.
  • Beggars can’t be choosers, i’ll have to buy a used car..
  • Although I hate peanut butter sandwich but I had to eat it. Beggars can’t be choosers.

7. BEHIND BARS: Someone who is behind bars is in prison.
If you hang around with that gang, you will find yourself behind bars in no time.

  • Very soon, he will be behind bars for his crimes.
  • Rohit should be behind bars for his conviction on burglary charges.
  • It’s impossible to imagine what it would be like to spend your whole life behind the bars.
  • He had to spend half of his life behind the bars.

8. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: If something takes place behind closed doors, it is done privately with no observers or intruders.

  • The matter was discussed behind closed doors.
  • Each and every important issue was decided behind the closed doors.
  • Edward and Scarlet met behind closed doors.
  • Serious meetings should take place behind closed doors and not during the social events.
  • The deal was negotiated behind closed doors.

9. RING A BELL: If something rings a bell, it is vaguely familiar to you, but you can’t remember the exact details.

  • That name rings a bell but I don’t remember him.
  • Whatever I see, it rings a bell.
  • No, I am sorry, that description doesn’t ring any bell with me.
  • this name rang a bell, but I could not remember it.

10. BELOW THE BELT: An action or a remark described as below the belt is considered to be unfair or cruel.

  • Politicians sometimes use personal information to hit their rivals below the belt.
  • That new advertisement really hits below the belt.
  • Joseph hit below the belt when he said that it was all her fault because she had become ill.
  • William was hit below the belt and suffered considerably.
  • I don’t understand why you hit other people below the belt.