USEFUL VOCABULARY WORDS WITH THE LETTER B

BABBLE = chat, discuss, waffle (We babbled again and again about a new project we are preparing = We chatted again and again about a new project we are putting together) 

BABEL = tumult, clamour, uproar, din, commotion, (There is too much babel in the back of the room, can't you keep it down? = There's too much noise in the back of the room, can't you keep quiet?)

BACK (do something behind someone's back) = do something in a way that is unfair unbeknownst to the person (You are good at doing things behind my back, what's wrong with you? = Stop doing things behind my back at work otherwise I will report you to the line manager)

BACK (be glad to see the back of someone) = pleased to no longer be involved with the person (I'm glad to see the back of him and he will stop bullying his employees = We will no longer see him, so he will stay away from his employees who will no longer be harassed) 

BACK (get someone's back up) = irritate, annoy, vex make someone angry (They get my back up not doing what I ask them to = They annoy me by not doing what I ask them to do)

BACK (have one's back to the wall) (with one's) = be in a difficult situation with no way out of it (She has her back to the wall for want of any suitable solutions = She is up against the wall due to a lack of suitable solutions)

BACK (break the back of the work) = get the most part of a particular task done (I broke the back of the work yesterday, therefore, we will finish earlier than scheduled = I got the most part of the job done yesterday, so we will finish sooner than expected)

BACK (let's go round to the back) = to take a sideway exit  or an alternative solutions (Let's go around the back because the entrance door is stuck = Let's go around the back because the front door is stuck)

BACK (live at the back of beyond)  = to live in a small and remote place, in a backwater (They live at the back of beyond and you have to drive an hour to get there = They live in a backwater and you have to drive an hour to get there)

BACK AND FORTH (go back and forth) = to and fro, alternating, backwards and forwards, not making headway, to come and go (For the past month, trains have been shuttling between the main station and the summer resorts due to the holiday period = We paid close attention to the back and forth between two actors rehearsing a new play = Her backwards and forwards attitude whether or not to move abroad created a feud within the couple)

BACKBONE (English to the backbone) = English deep down (inside), English deep inside me (He's English to the backbone and enjoys  traditional garb and food = He is English at heart and appreciates traditional clothing and food)

BACKBONE (backbone of the movement) = the framework (She is the backbone of the movement that she created to fight administrative bumf = She's is the framework of the movement she created to fight administrative bumf)

BACKBONE (lacking backbone) = no backbone, no strength of character, no determination, no steadfastness, no fortitude (He lacks backbone incapable of making easy decisions on a daily basis at his workplace = He has no backbone unable to make easy decisions on a daily basis at his workplace)

BACKCHAT = impertinence, cheek, back talk, smart mouth, insolence, nasty reply, rude or cheeky remarks made in reply to someone in authority (Stop the backchat, I'm here to improve your English level = Stop the back talk, I'm here to take your English to the next level)

BACKBREAKING = arduous, tough, gruelling, demanding manual labour physically demanding hard and tough to accomplish (They are fed up with this backbreaking work and should therefore demand hardship pay = This arduous work deserves a hardship bonus granted to all workers)

BACKGAMMON = a kind of two-player board game (Let's play backgammon, for this we should be two players = Let's play backgammon, for this we both have to be)

BACKGROUND (to keep someone in the Background) = stay away from the spotlight,  in a position that avoids attracting attention (She doesn't want to speak in public because she likes to stay in the background = She will not speak in public as she prefers to stay away from the spotlight)

BACKGROUND (résumé, CV) = education, qualifications, history, credentials (What is your background in relation to the job offer published on the Internet? = Can you expand on your education to support your job application?)

BACKING = support, endorsement (Total and unreserved backing for your new project from me and my entire team = Unrestricted support for your current project on behalf of me and my team)

BACK DOWN = surrender, yield, concede defeat, give in, backtrack (He needs to back down because many employees view the move as unfair = Even though he is not up to it, he refuses to backtrack)

BACK OUT = withdraw from a commitment, go back on, quit, retreat from, renegue on (We will back out of the deal if we do not obtain full compliance with our requirements = We will withdraw from the agreement because our demands have not been fully met)

BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS (go backwards and forwards) = move back and forth, inside out, from top to bottom, from A to Z, comprehensively (They walked backwards and forwards the halls of the school waiting for their grades after the oral English exam = They walked back and forth the school hallways awaiting the decision after the disciplinary hearing)

BACKLASH = boomerang effect, opposite effect, repercussion, rebound, recoil, retaliation = many people react against something in the same way (The backlash effect of learning a language intensively is to be able to use survival terms in a country that speaks that language = The opposite effect of intensive language learning is the possibility of using survival terms in a country that speaks that language)

BACON (save one's bacon) = save one's life, save one's skin, come to the aid of  = get someone out of a dangerous situation (He saved his bacon by getting out of a sticky situation when his engine broke down = He found himself in a difficult situation and had to save his skin by having his car towed on the highway)

BACON (bring home the bacon) = earn a living, provide for the family, bear the palm  = supply material support, achieve success (We are both the ones who bring home the bacon in the relationship I am in = There are two of us who earn our living by working hard every day)

BAFFLE (baffled by something) = taken aback, puzzle, flummox (I was baffled by the very good sales results last month = I was taken aback by the very good sales feedback last month)

BAIL = temporary release of an accused on payment of a sum of money (The accused was released on bail pending his trial scheduled for next month = Some of those arrested yesterday were released on bail for illegal weapons possession)

BAIL (go/stand bail for someone) = to vouch for someone, to support, to endorse (I'll stand bail for him because I think he is a very good and deserving man = He deserves to be supported because I think he is a wonderful person)

BAIL (bail someone out) = get a person out of an intricate situation (I'll bail him out because he has trouble conversing in German = I'm going to get him out of an intricate situation to make it easier for him to learn German)

BAIT (for fish) = lure, decoy, troll (I'm going to bait the bass with shrimp in the river = Shrimp can be a lure for bass in the river) also for the consumer: lure, attraction, incentive, enticement (The shop will bait customers with new loyalty cards to retain them in the long term = The store attracts new customers by offering them gifts) 

BAIZE (green baize) = a felt table mat to play cards on (The green baize has been cleaned to perfection to make playing cards easier = A felt placemat is essential for playing a harmonious card game)

BALACLAVA = ski mask, closely fitting covering the head and neck usually made from wool to expose only part of face usually the eyes and mouth (The burglars wore balaclavas to avoid being recognized = A balaclava is the sure way to go unnoticed in a place where you don't want your face to be shown)

BALDERDASH = crap, bullshit, foolishness, tommyrot, boloney (That's balderdash to say that a person who discovers a new language could never practice it at best = Any person full of commitment could master the main aspect of language)

BALE = bale of straw, wool, paper (Many bales of wool stored in this room were damaged by flooding = A few bales of straw were stacked in the barn)

BALE OUT = to jump out / eject from an airplane in an emergency with a parachute (He baled out of the two-seater plane after a propeller failure = He ejected from a plane due to mechanical failure)

BALEFUL = menacing, threatening, disastrous, harmful (The company's baleful situation began to take its toll on the entire staff  = The company's dire situation began to affect the entire staff)

BALK (balk at) = jib at, refuse to commit, unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking (He balked at moving the headquarters building = He refused to commit to moving the headquarters building)

BALL (to be on the Ball) = to be conversant with something (He is on the ball regarding the technique to learn languages well and good = He knows the technique to learn languages well and correctly)

BALL (to have a) = to have a party, to have prom, (We will be having a ball next weekend to celebrate her graduation = They had a prom last weekend to celebrate her graduation)

BALLYHOO = hype, promotion, build-up, propaganda (There has been a lot of ballyhoo surrounding Quentin Tarantino's latest movie = There has been a lot of hype surrounding Quentin Tarantino's film); also: commotion, excitement, racket, to-do, hullabaloo (There was a lot of noise at yesterday's party = There was a lot of excitement at yesterday's party)

BALMY  = mild, temperate, soothing (The weather forecast predicts balmy temperatures for the afternoon = The weather forecast predicts mild temperatures for the afternoon); also: crazy, foolish (He was totally balmy to invite his parents to yesterday's knees-up = He was completely crazy to invite his parents to yesterday's party)

BALONEY = nonsense, absurd, twaddle, bunkum, balderdash (It's a load of baloney to say that he's going to win the race because his car sucks = It's absurd to say that he's going to win the race because his car sucks); nonsensicality, meaninglessness (This is a bunch of baloney = This a load of nonsense)

BAMBOOZLE = trick, deceive, mislead, swindle (He bamboozled the recruiter by submitting a counterfeited résumé to get the job = He deceived the recruiter by submitting a falsified CV to get the job)

BAN = prohibit, forbid, disallow, a prohibition, a ban (There is a ban on smoking in a confined space = Smoking is prohibited in a confined space)

BANDY = bandy-legged, bow-legged, curved, (The bandy-legged man managed to run quickly to catch the thief = The bow-legged man managed to run quickly to catch the thief); also: reciprocate, exchange, swap (We like to bandy compliments on each other regarding our teaching methods = We like to compliment each other on our teaching methods); also: spread, circulate, disseminate (INSEE, the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies regularly bandies statistics on the country's internal economic affairs = INSEE, the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies regularly disseminates statistics on the country's internal economic affairs)

BANE = scourge, ruin, plague, cause of great distress or annoyance (Social media was the bane of her existence = Online poker was the scourge of my life)

BANGER = something that is exceptionally good (This piece of music is a banger); also: old car, jalopy, rattletrap (She drives an old 2000 banger that she fixed with her own hands = She drives and old 2000 jalopy that she repaired with her own hands)

BANGLE = (rigid) bracelet, armlet, wristlet, anklet (She wears a bangle when she goes out on weekends = She wears a bracelet when she goes out on weekends)

BANGS = hair covering the forehead (I just can't seem to get my bangs in order because they blur my vision = She has had bangs since she was a teenager)

BANTER = kidding, joking (I was bantering when I sent you packing the other night = I was kidding when I gave you the pink slip yesterday)

BAP = (bread) roll (I'll have a bap for breakfast = I'll have a roll for breakfast)

BARGE = canal boat  (We will use a small barge to cross the river); also: barge in/out = show up, move forcefully or roughly (Stop barging in like that you're making my head spin = Stop showing up like that, you're making my head spin)

BARK (his Bark is worse than his bite) = less dangerous than appears (You shouldn't be afraid of him, his bark is worse than his bite = Don't be afraid of him, he's less dangerous than he seems)

BARK (bark up the wrong tree) = to go astray, to get lost (He is barking up the wrong tree by going in this direction = He is on the wrong track by going in this direction)

BARMY = crazy, mad (It's barmy to put together such a big project = It's crazy to design such a huge project)

BARREN = lifeless, infertile, arid, bleak (The region was rather barren due to the lack of rain and humidity = The region was rather arid due to the lack of rain and humidity)

BARTER = trade, swap exchange goods or services for other good or services (She bartered her old stereo for a DVD player = She swapped her old stereo for a DVD player)

BASH = hit, strike hard and violently (He was bashed on the back of the head by the bank robbers = He was hit on the back of the head by the bank robbers)

BASH = party, social event (They threw a bash after their son graduated from high school = They held a party after receiving their restaurant's first Michelin star)

BASHFUL = shy, reserved, not drawing attention to oneself (He is bashful and doesn't even dare to ask for something even when he has the right to = He is shy and doesn't even stand up for his rights even though he is entitled to)

BASK = lounge, lie, exposed to warmth and light from the sun (She basks in the sun with her children on the beach in Malaga = She lounges in the sun with her children on the beach in Malaga)

BASS (sea bass) = the bass is one of the marine fishes related to or resembling the perch (I like to eat baked sea bass with spices and vegetables on the side = Sea bass is also delicious pan-fried with a touch of spices and vegetables) 

BASTE = pour fat or juices over meat during cooking to keep it moist (The chicken is tender because it was basted throughout the cooking time = Basted chicken is delicious thanks to its tenderness resulting from this cooking process)

BATCH = bunch, accumulation, quantity, cluster (There is a batch of documents to review scattered across his desk = A batch of files has been entrusted to him for review by the end of the week)

BATED = (with bated breath) very anxiously, with great suspense (He approached the scene with bated breath after hearing the sad news = He arrived on the scene holding his breath upon hearing the terrible news)

BATTEN = wooden or metal slat (The ceiling of the house was covered with old-style wooden battens = The ceiling of the house was lined with old-fashioned metal slats) 

BATTERED = damaged, shabby, destroyed (He was driving a battered car because he didn't have the money to buy a new one = He drove a beat-up car because he didn't have the money to buy a new one); also: assaulted, beat (He battered his wife once too many before finally being jailed for life = He beat his wife one too many times before finally being imprisoned for life)

BATTY/BATS = mad, insane (He was the batty type whenever he dealt with his acquaintances = He was kind of crazy whenever he dealt with his acquaintances)

BAWDY = riebald, indecent, lout, boor (I hate this person's bawdy attitude when he hangs out with the wrong people = I hate this person's lewd attitude that often resurfaces after a drinking session)

BAY (sick Bay) = infirmary (People often go to the sick bay in the summer to seek treatment for food poisoning = People often go to the infirmary in the summer to get treatment for food poisoning)

BAY (parking Bay) = parking lot, place where you can leave your car for a period of time (I parked my car in the parking bay all weekend while I was on vacation = I parked my car in the parking lot all weekend while I was on vacation)

BE-ALL AND END-ALL = the reason for something; the most important part of something, all-important element, essential element (Is being rich the be-all and end-all in our quest for happiness on earth? = Is being rich the ultimate goal in our quest for happiness on earth?)

BEAD = ball, pellet, pill (She has beautiful beads around her neck = She has beautiful pearls around her neck)

BEAK = the pointed mouth of a bird (This bird's beak was injured by poachers = The bird was treated for a beak injury caused by poachers)

BEAKER = tumbler, drinking container made of plastic (I usually drink from a beaker with a lid = I like to drink from a tumbler)

BEAR  (like a bear with a sore head) = behave in an irritable way (He's always like a bear with a sore head when it comes to dealing with people = She's been like a bear with a sore head, what's wrong with her?)

BEARINGS (take a ship's bearings) = to summarize, to make a recap (Let's take a ship's bearings before we wind up the meeting = Let's recap all of this before ending this day)

BEAR (bear with me) = be patient with me (Bear with my poor German, I'm still taking lessons =  Please be patient with me as I still have problems with my German)

BEAVER = large-tailed rodent, (Beavers are large-tailed rodents that live in dens)

BEAVER (beaver away) = work hard (I would like to beaver away, ready to complete my assignment by the end of the week = She is an eager beaver who has worked hard to reach the top)

BECK = obey someone forthwith, signal, direct or summon someone (She is at her boss's beck and call = She is at the disposal of her boss)

BECKON = make a gesture with the hand, arm or head in order to encourage to approach (I beckoned at her to come this way = I motioned for him to come over here)

BEDCOVER = bedspread (The cleaning lady placed on a bedspread in harmony with the bright colours of summer = The cleaning lady placed on a bedcover in harmony with the bright colours of summer) 

BEDECK = adorn, decorate (The room was bedecked with photos of her fans = The room was adorned with photos of her fans = The room was decorated with photos of her fans)

BEDEVIL = torment, afflict (He was bedevilled by persistent problems = He was tormented by persistent problems = He struggled with persistent problems)

BEDLAM = commotion, turmoil, uproar, pandemonium (There is bedlam upstairs as they celebrate their twenty-second wedding anniversary = There is uproar as they celebrate their twenty-second wedding anniversary)

BEDRAGGLED = disordered, dishevelled (We reached our summer resort bedraggled and wiped out =  We reached our summer station in disrepair and devastated

BEECH = type of tree (The piece of furniture was made of beech = Beech is also a solid and elegant wood species)

BEEF (what's your beef?) = what's your problem? (What's your beef ? Are you out of your mind? = What's your problem? Are you crazy?)

BEFALL = something bad that occurred (A misfortune befell her family with the death of their grandfather = A woe befell his loved ones with the demise of their aunt at the age of 92)

BEFUDDLED = confused, muddled (I was befuddled by the decision made by my first line manager = I was taken aback by the decision made by my first line manager)

BEGRUDGE = resent, envy, grudge, angry  (He begrudged his cousin his new sports car = He resented his cousin for getting his new sports car = He was angry with his cousin for buying his new sports car)

BEHEST = at somebody's order or command (He did this at the behest of his line manageress = He did this at the request of his line manageress)

BELATED = occurring later than expected, delayed  (The belated projects are now underway = The delayed projects are now underway = Late projects are now underway)

BELCH = burp (Sorry, I belched! = Sorry, I burped!)

BELIE = disprove, contradict (The way she dances at the age of 75 seems to belie critics = The way she dances at 75 seems to disprove critics)

BELITTLE = put down (She likes to belittle people at will = She likes to put people down as she pleases)

BELLBOY/BELLHOP = attendant in a hotel, groom (I let the bellboy carry my luggage to my hotel room = I let the bellhop carry my baggage to my hotel room)

BELLOW = person or an animal make a loud roar in pain or anger (He bellows in pain when she tries to dab wound cleanser = He screams with rage when he hears the sad news)

BELLOWS = stoke up a fire with a specific device (I fan the fire with bellows to rekindle it = The bellows will help me relight the dying fire)

BEMOAN = deplore, lament express discontent, sorrow over something (They bemoaned the bad grades in English = They deplored the bad grades in English)

BEMUSED = perplexed, bewildered, puzzled, disconcerted (I was bemused to hear the news = I was disconcerted to hear the news = I was perplexed to hear the news)

BENEFICENT = generous, doing good, benevolent, charitable (She is beneficent about the carpooling she organizes to help the most disadvantaged get around = She shows kindness in the carpooling she organizes to help the most disadvantaged get around)

BENEVOLENT = charitable, kind, having the desire to do good (She gave me a benevolent smile = She gave me a kind smile )

BENT (bent on) = determined to (She is bent on succeeding her exams no matter what! = She is determined to pass her exams no matter what!)

BEQUEATH = to hand down, to pass on (Having no children, he bequeathed his fortune to a charity called Secours Populaire = He handed down his fortune to charity)

BEQUEST = legacy, inheritance (Upon his death, without heirs, a bequest of over $100000 was given to a charity called Secours Populaire = When he died without heirs, an inheritance of over $100000 was left to charity)

BERATE = reprimand, upbraid, chide, lambaste (She berated the justice system for being too lenient on reckless drivers = She criticized the justice system for its failure to take tough action against reckless drivers)

BEREAVE = deprive, lose (He was bereaved of his grand parents last year = He lost his grandparents last year)

BEREFT (bereft of) = deprived of, in a state of mourning, parted from, cut off from the use of something (The death of his grandparents left him bereft = The death of his grandparents left him in a state of mourning); also:  lacking something (The classroom was austere and bereft of posters on the walls = The classroom was stark and devoid of posters on the walls)

BERK = stupid (You are berk for reacting like that! = You're an idiot to react like that!)

BERSERK (to go berserk) = crazy, insane, mad (The crowd went berserk after the concert was cancelled = The crowd went crazy after the concert was cancelled)

BESET = bedevil, plague, ravage (The social unrest that beset this company over wage increases was far from over = The labour unrest that bedevilled this company over wage increases was far from over)

BESIDES = moreover, what's more, in addition, as well, apart from (Besides, he was not even present when the decision was made = Moreover, he was not even present when the decision was made)

BESOTTED = infatuated with, in love with, doting on (She became besotted with her childhood friend and later married him = She fell madly in love with her childhood friend and later married him); also: drunk, intoxicated (He was besotted after drinking a lot of vodka = He was drunk after drinking a lot of vodka)

BESPATTERED = splash, spatter (My car was bespattered with mud from the heavy rains we had and the muddy roads that followed = My car was covered in mud from the heavy rains we had and the muddy roads that followed)

BESPECTACLED = wearing glasses (The bespectacled woman stared at me the entire train ride = The woman with glasses stared at me the entire train ride)

BESPOKE = made for a particular customer or user (We made bespoke suits for wealthy people who can afford to pay top dollar for them = We made custom suits for wealthy people who can afford to pay full price for them)

BESTOW = grant, give, confer on, donate, hand over (I'll bestow this special book to you as a token of our friendship = I'll hand this special book over to you as a token of our friendship)

BET = pledge, gamble, wager (You can bet I'll keep at it! = You can be sure that I will continue!)

BETOKEN = indicate, be a sign of, augur, forebode, bode, portent, warning or indication of a future event (He is working hard this school year betokened a willingness to succeed all his exams = He is working hard this school year, which shows a desire to pass all his exams)

BETROTHAL = betrothment, formal engagement to marry someone, formal engagement to be married, marriage contract, plighting of one's truth (Karl's family will celebrate his betrothal with his bosom childhood friend Lolita = Karl's family will celebrate his engagement to his childhood friend Lolita)

BETTERMENT = improvement, enhancement, amelioration (We must do everything in our power to foster the betterment of neighbourly relations = We must do everything in our power to promote the improvement of neighbourly relations); also: added-value (She did wonders with this place which creates a significant betterment = She did wonders with this place, creating a significant improvement)

BEVY (a bevy of ) = a gathering, an assembly, a group, a band of women (A bevy of young female singers won all the medals for the girl groups they represented = A multitude of young female singers won all the medals for the girl groups they represented); a bevy of birds or quails =  a flock, a flight (There were a bevy of birds of unknown identity flying in the sky on this warmish morning = There were a multitude of birds of unknown identity flying in the sky on a rather warm morning)

BID = proffer, offer, tender, submission, proposal (A higher bid has been put on the table to acquire this company = A higher offer has been put on the table to acquire this company); also: effort, attempt (She was bidding to become an influential female business leader and he managed to reach the top = She aspired to become and influential female business leader and she managed to reach the top);  also: say (I would like to bid farewell to her because I don't know if I will see her again = I would like to say goodbye to her because I don't know if I will see her again)

BIDDER = a person or an organization making a formal offer for something especially at an auction (This businesswoman was the highest bidder to acquire the magnificent Van Gogh painting hanging on the wall of the auction house = She was the highest bidder to buy a limousine that had belonged to an international sports star)

BIDE = remain, stay (How long do you have to bide for an answer to find out whether you landed the job or not? = How long do you have to wait to find out if you got the job or not?)

BIFF = strike sharply with the fist (He biffed me on the cheek and I biffed him back = He slapped me on the cheek and I slapped him back)

BIGOT = sectarian, zealot, dogmatist person (I will not let bigots instil these ideas in you = I will not let fanatics instil these ideas in you)

BIGOTRY = intolerance, bias, prejudice, partiality, devotion to one's own opinions (Bigotry is not a good doctrine for living in society = Sectarianism is not a good doctrine for living in society)

BILBERRY/BLUEBERRY = small dark blue edible berry (She likes to add bilberries to her baked goods to give them a tangy flavour = She likes to add blueberries to her baked goods to give them a tangy flavour)

BILGE (talk bilge) = talk nonsense, talk rubbish (Stop talking bilge, it's not possible! = Stop talking nonsense, it's not possible); also: the bulging part of a cask (The bilge of the cask broke during transport = The barrel wedge broke during transport); also: the part of the underwater body of a ship between the flat of the bottom and the vertical topsides (The goods were soiled in the bilge during shipment = A violent impact with rocks caused a gaping hole in the bilge of the ship = A violent impact with rocks caused a gaping hole in the ship's hold)

BILLPOSTER = action or occupation of posting advertising bills / a person who pastes up advertisements on hoardings (A billposter was on site early in the morning putting up posters for the organic food campaign = A poster artist was on site early in the morning putting up posters for the organic food campaign)

BILLET = accommodation, barracks, lodging for soldiers (Army soldiers were billeted around the city center = Army soldiers were stationed around the city center)

BILLOW = wave, surge, mass (Clouds billowed in the sky with the coming rain = Clouds were swelling in the sky with the coming rain); also: swell, fill out (The puffer jacket, which was hanging from the clotheslines, billowed in the gust of wind = The down jacket, which was hanging on the clotheslines, fluttered in the gust of wind)

BINGE = spree, drinking or eating bout (He went on a drinking binge with friends last weekend = He went on a drinking binge with friends in a pub yesterday)

BIRCH = a slender hardy type of tree (A birch is a type of tree with predominantly white bark that grows in northern temperate regions); also: flog someone with a bundle of birch twigs (He was bitten with a bundle of birch twigs as a child)

BITTER = pungent, tart, sour, unsweetened (The sauce tasted bitter = The sauce had a bitter taste); also: resentful, embittered, rancorous, acrimonious (The old woman was bitter whenever she spoke of her late husband = The old woman became acrimonious whenever she spoke of her late husband); also: unhappy, distressful, harrowing (It was a bitter experience for me to work for this company I was bitter about working for this company); also: acrimonious, hostile, spiteful, antagonistic (The controversy has turned bitter between the two protagonists = The controversy became bitter between the two contenders) 

BITTERN = a large marsh bird of the heron family (A bittern rushed onto the rock, eager to find food = A bittern was there in front of me perched on a rock)

BLANCH = whiten (She blanched when she heard the terrible news = She turned pale when she heard the terrible news); also: scald, boil (I tried the salted blanched almonds, they are really delicious!)

BLANDISHMENTS = fawning, wheedling, toadying, coaxing (Blandishments are used to cope with a situation that is not to your advantage = Flattery is often useful in dealing with a situation that is not to your advantage)

BLARE = blast, clamour, roar, sound loudly (There was a blaring noise coming from behind = There was a shrill noise coming from behind)

BLARNEY = flattery, blandishments, smooth talk, wheedling, coaxing (He blarneyed her to spend time with them on a cold winter weekend = He convinced her to spend time with them on a cold winter weekend)

BLATANT = flagrant, glaring, conspicuous, obvious, boisterous (It was a blatant move on his part to make this decision forthwith = It was a flagrant move on his part to make this decision immediately) 

BLAZE = ablaze, burn, burst into flames (Scads of firefighters fought the blaze started deliberately = Dozens of firefighters battled the deliberately started fire)

BLEAK = dismal, gloomy, grim, windswept (On a bleak fall day we all gathered around the mantelpiece = On a dark autumn day, we all gathered around the fireplace)

BLEARY = watery dim, unclear, blurry, blurred (Her eyes were bleary from the wind she was exposed to = Her eyes were watery from the wind she was exposed to)

BLEAT = weak and wavering cry made by a calf, a goat or a sheep (The little sheep bleated back to its fold = The little sheep bleated to return to its fold)

BLEEP = high-pitched sound made by an electronic device (The alarm clock bleeped three times at 5:30am sharp to let me know it was time for me to hit the deck = The alarm clock went off three times at exactly 5:30am to inform me it was time to get up)

BLEMISH = imperfection, flaw (Her reputation was blemished by her foul temper towards her employees = His reputation was tarnished by his bad temper towards his employees)

BLESS = glorify, dedicate, give benediction on (God bless you!); also: invoke happiness on, be thankful for (I'm blessed to be able to fulfil my dreams = I am lucky to be able to make my dreams come true); also: give approval for, endorse, be in favor of (The board of directors blessed the new measures presented to it = The board of directors gave its approval to the new measures presented to it)

BLIGHT = mildew, infestation, fungus (Blight will gnaw into the metal = Rust will eat away at the metal); also: scourge, woe, bane, plague (Wildfire blighted what was once a beautiful landscape = Wildfire ravaged what was once a beautiful landscape)

BLIGHTER = chap, bloke, dude (Blighters have ransacked my garden by littering it with animal droppings = Chaps have wrecked my garden by littering it with animal droppings)

BLIMEY = heck, confound it, damn (Blimey dude, you should have kept me posted on the looming storm! = Damn man, you should have warned me about the impending storm!)

BLIMP = small airship (He would like to take his first flight in a blimp = He would like to take his first flight in an airship); also: fat person (He's a little blimp as he gained weight = He's a little chubby because he gained weight)

BLINDER = extremely impressive or excellent (She gave a blinder of a performance at the poetry recital last week = She gave a stunning performance at the poetry recital last week); also: blinkers (She noticed that the blinders prevented her from seeing both sides of the road = The blinders made him see only one side of the public)

BLINK = flash, flutter, flicker (The traffic lights were blinking letting us know that caution was required from drivers = The traffic lights were flashing to let us know that caution was required on the part of drivers)

BLINK (on the) = out of order (The computer was on the blink after many years of use = The computer was out of order after many years of use)

BLINKERS = blinders (He wore blinkers like he couldn't see the car in front of him = He wore blinders like he couldn't see the car in front of him)

BLITHE = heedless, uncaring (She had a blithe way of bending the highway code while driving = She had a reckless way of avoiding traffic laws while driving);

BLITHERING = complete, utter (This blithering idiot barely hit me on the speedway = This complete idiot barely hit me on the speedway)

BLITZ = sudden attack (This country launched a blitzkrieg against another country, which resulted in it being sanctioned by the UN = This country launched a blitzkrieg against another country, which earned it UN sanction); all-out effort (We both had a blitz on cooking good food = We both tried really hard to cook good food)

BLOKE = geezer, guy (The bloke looked at me in a peculiar way and cleared off = The guy looked at me in a peculiar way and ran away)

BLOODY-MINDED = deliberately uncooperative (This bloody-minded co-worker failed to provide me with the accurate information needed to make the right decision = This unhelpful colleague failed to provide me with the accurate information needed to make the right decision)

BLOOMER = plant that produces flowers at a specified time (This plant is a bloomer every summer, weather permitting = This plant flowers every summer, weather permitting); also: a person who matures at a specified time (This learner was a late bloomer bent on taking the bull by the horns when it came to learning English lessons = This learner was a mature learner determined to take bite the bullet when it came to learning English lessons); also: blunder, goof-up (This was a big bloomer during a Formula One pit stop, when the driver stopped long after everyone else = This was a big blunder during a Formula One pit stop, when the driver stopped long after everyone else) 

BLOODY awful weather, terrible weather = (This bloody weather destroyed the entire setup for the day initially planned = This terrible weather destroyed the entire configuration of the day initially planned)

BLOT = spot, blotch, splodge, smudge, blemish (There was a blot on his reputation for child abuse = There was a stain on his reputation for child abuse)

BLOTTER = blotting paper on a desk (The blotter on his desk served as a notepad for writing documents = The blotting paper on his desk served as a notepad for writing documents); recording book used by the police (Criminals sooner or later end up on the police docket for flouting the law)

BLOTCH = smudge, splodge, blemish (There is a blotch on my white shirt, can you fix it for me please? = There is a stain on my white shirt, can you fix it for me, please?)

BLOTTO = extremely drunk (He was blotto after celebrating his team's victory = He was drunk after celebrating his team's victory)

BLOWZY = (also spelt blowsy) untidy, sloppy, coarse (typically used of a woman) (The blowsy woman came through the door wearing a cheap perfume = The scruffy woman came through the door with cheap perfume)

BLUBBER = cry, whine (Stop blubbering over spilt milk! = Stop crying over split milk!)

BLUDGEON = cudgel, club, truncheon (The policemen used their bludgeons to ward off wrongdoers who gatecrashed a political meeting)

BLUNDER = bloomer, error, goof-up, gaff (This is a serious blunder on his part given his company's performance = This is a serious error on his part given the performance of the company)

BLUNT = dull, not having a sharp edge (The knife was blunt and therefore unusable for cutting a cake = You can't cut a cake with a dull knife); also: without compromise (He answered me bluntly for want of anything better in terms of monthly KPIs = He answered me uncompromisingly for lack of anything better in terms of monthly results)

BLUR = make obscure, make indistinct, make vague, dim (My vision was blurry after being hit by a storm =  My vision became blurry after being hit by a storm)

BLURT (out) = say something suddenly without thinking (She gave me a blurt answer as if to protect the cohesion of the company = She gave me a vague answer as if to protect the cohesion of the company) 

BOB (bob up and down) = move up and down, float with a boat on the surface of water = (In rough seas, the ferry bobbed up and down between Calais and Dover); also: sway up and down, move up and down, go up and down to the rhythm of the music (Celebrating the birthday they bobbed up and down to the beat = They were swaying up and down to the music )

BODE = augur, portend, presage: bode well = (The increase in turnover bodes well for the sustainability of the company = The increase in turnover portends well for the sustainability of the company); bode ill/bode badly/not bode well =  (Bad accounting figures bode ill for the sustainability of the company = Bad accounting figures bode badly for the sustainability of the company = Bad accounting figures do not bode well for the sustainability of the company)

BODICE = close-fitting upper part of a dress covering the chest and back above the waist (Alice wore a white lace bodice with blue jeans, beige heels and a dark brown jacket = The bodice of a top is back in fashion)

BOFFIN = person engaged in scientific or technical research (A company is currently looking for boffins to carry out new research and development programs = The company posts job vacancies for boffins to work in its R&D Department); also: person with knowledge or skills considered complex or obscure (She is a social media boffin capable of mastering its intricacy = She is a social media expert capable of mastering its complexity)

BOG = area of wet muddy ground (A bog appeared at the back of the house following torrential rain = There was a bog in the yard of the house following heavy rain); also: be or become stuck in mud or wet ground (The car got bogged down on the sandy and muddy road = The car got stuck on the sandy and muddy road)

BOGGLE = a person or her mind that is astonished or baffled when trying to imagine something (The huge amount of money paid to soccer players is mind boggling = The enormous amount of money paid to football players is staggering); also: hesitate because of doubt or fear (I began to boggle about whether to buy a brand new car or a used car = I started wondering whether I should buy a new car or a used car)

BOGUS = fake, not genuine or false, not legal (The accounting figures submitted to the board of directors were bogus = They submitted false accounting figures to the board of directors)

BOLLARD = a short post used to prevent traffic from entering an area (Bollards were placed around the two cars after the accident to restrict traffic = Bollards were used to block roads after a bank robbery)

BOLSTER (bolster up) = support, strengthen (Falling inflation will bolster this month's consumption index = Falling inflation will strengthen this month's consumption index); also: bolster = long thick pillow that is placed under other pillows for support (I can't sleep without a bolster and pillow under my head), also: comfortable (The seat of the sofa can be bolstered for greater comfort = The sofa seat can be reinforced for added comfort)

BOLT = wood or metal bar or rod that slides into a socket to fasten a door or window = bar, rivet, pin (Remember to bolt the front door and back door before going to bed = Don't forget to lock the front and back door before going to sleep); also: means to dash off or away, to run away, to flee (Hearing a strange noise in the empty hallway, she was ready to bolt = Hearing a strange noise in the empty hallway, she was ready to run away)

BONANZA = situation which creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune or profits = windfall, godsend (Sales volumes of our products have increased tenfold since the beginning of the year, generating a bonanza of several thousand euros = Our product sales have increased tenfold since the beginning of the year, generating a windfall of several thousand euros)

BONE (to bone up on) = study a subject intensively in preparation for a test or an exam (My learners boned up on their English course materials throughout the weekend = My students reviewed their English course materials throughout the weekend)

BONEHEAD = stupid person (He was a bonehead the whole time we went to the restaurant = Stop acting like an idiot who doesn't know what he wants) 

BONUS = sum of money added to a person's salary as reward for good performance (A Christmas bonus was awarded to all staff for exceeding the company's performance expectations = A profit bonus was awarded to the workshop manager and his team for outstanding achievements)

BOOBY = stupid person (This guy is a booby for making this dangerous decision = He was a stupid man to decide to change lanes on the highway at the last minute); also: a large tropical seabird of the gannet family (A purple-footed booby swooped down onto the porch of our resort and flew away as we arrived); also: booby prize = prize awarded as a joke to a person who finishes last in a competition (He received a booby prize for finishing last in the Paris Marathon last year)

BOOR = rough and bad mannered person = lout, oaf (Boor was kicked out of pub after rude remarks were made against women = Boor should be kept away from mixed public places)

BOORISH = rude, rough and bad mannered adjective (His boorish behaviour towards women got him kicked out of the pub = His rude behaviour towards women got him kicked out of the pub)

BOORISHNESS = rawness, the state of being rough and bad mannered (His boorishness was a surprise given the wealthy environment he grew up in = His rudeness was a surprise given his wealthy background)

BOOTEE = woman's short boots or soft shoe (She found some gorgeous bootees on sale at the shoe store yesterday and bought them = She found some gorgeous ankle boots that fit her foot size perfectly); also: typically a knitted one worn by a baby (Baby lost her bootie while being transported to sit in a car seat = Baby lost his slipper while being transported by car)

BOOTY = valuable stolen goods, especially those seized in war (The army seized a million's worth booty from the enemies and handed it over to the allies = The army confiscated loot worth a million from the enemies and handed it over to the allies)

BOOZE = alcoholic drink (Where is my booze at? = Where is my alcoholic drink?); also: drink alcohol in large quantities (They all had a booze-up to celebrate the victory of their soccer team = They all drank an alcoholic drink to celebrate their football team's victory)

BORE = make a hole in something with a tool or by digging = drill, pierce (He drilled a hole with a drill = He bored a hole with a drill); also: be a pain in the neck (He's been a bore ever since she met him a year ago = He's been annoying since she met him a year ago)

BOROUGH = town or district that is an administrative unit (The borough of Lille has just acquired new bicycles in the city for ecological reasons = The municipality of Lille has just equipped itself with new bicycles in the city for ecological spaces)

BORSTAL = custodial institutions for young offenders (Young offenders will be sent to a borstal to salvage what can still remain positively deep within themselves = Young offenders can get back on track after a stay in a correctional center)

BOSS-EYED = cross-eyed or squinting (He's been boss-eyed since he was born and he adapts very well to life = He has been cross-eyed since birth and is adapting well to life)

BOSUN = ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew (The bosun decided to steer his ship north following the blockade of the usual sea route = The boatswain decided on steering his ship northward following the blockade of the usual sea route)

BOTCH = carry out a task badly or carelessly (The task was botched because it was carried out in a hurry = The task was in vain because it was accomplished in haste)

BOTHERED (I can't be bothered) = she doesn't feel like it, to be unwilling to make the effort needed to do something (She can't be bothered to learn her English class despite the fact that I want her to = She doesn't feel like learning her English class despite my advice)

BOUGH = main branch of a tree (The bough was reduced to ashes following the forest fire = The branch was charred following the arson)

BOULDER = a large rock, typically one that has been worn smooth by erosion (There was a boulder in the middle of nowhere that sparked the tourists' visit = A large rock in a no-man's land triggered the visit of tourists)

BOUNDS = walk or run with leaping strides (He made bounds towards the exit because he was running out of time = He was rushing towards the exit because time was running out)

BOUT = fight, combat, affray (There is a boxing bout at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night and you wouldn't want to miss it, would you? = Will you be attending the boxing match at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night? I definitely will!); also: short period of intense activity of a specified kind (I often give my learners occasional bouts of stimulating English exercises = I frequently offer my learners one-off sessions of educational exercises in English); also: when someone suffers from something (The fact that he feels alone after the death of his wife causes him to have bouts of depression = Loneliness sometimes pushes him into attacks of depression); another example: regarding suffering from something (A bout of fever sometimes occurs unexpectedly as winter approaches = She sometimes suffers from an attack of fever as winter approaches)

BOW = knot tied with two loops and two loose ends (He tied a bow at both ends of his handkerchief = He tied a knot at both ends of his handkerchief); also: a weapon for shooting arrows = longbow, crossbow (She could use the bow to defend herself if she was assaulted = The crossbow could be her deadly weapon to defend herself in case of attack)

BOXWOOD = species of flowering plant (The couple planted some boxwoods in the garden = Some boxwoods are duly planted in their garden) 

BRACE = device fitted to something for example an injured or weak part of the body to give support = support, calliper (He wears medical braces attached to his bowed legs to keep them straight = Orthodontic appliances are useful for medical purposes to help patients with physical problems); also: prepare oneself for something difficult or unpleasant = prepare, get ready (My learners must brace for the end-of-year exam by revising one year's English courses = My learners must prepare for the end-of-year exam through an in-depth review of English courses)

BRACKEN = tall fern with coarse lobed fronds (We have brackens growing in the garden = We have ferns growing in the garden)

BRACKISH = of water slightly salty (There is a bottle of brackish water on the table = Brackish water keeps its contents fresh for a long time)

BRADAWL = an awl, a punch = tool for boring holes (We keep a bradawl at home just in case we need to use it = We keep an awl at home just in case)

BRAG = boastful statement (You are the kind of person who brags = You are the type to brag); also: excellent, first-rate (This is my brag car: a vintage American car = This is my first-rate car: A vintage American car)

BRAID = braided hair shape (She wears her hair in braids = Her hair is braided); also: to edge, trim or adorn with braid or lace (Her evening gown was braided with lace = Lace was adorned all over her evening gown); (His white shirt with cufflinks was trimmed with gold braid = His white shirt with cufflinks was adorned with gold braid)

BRAKE = device for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle (He used the emergency brakes to slow down the speeding car = The Anti-lock Braking System commonly referred to as ABS, is a safety device that allows a car to brake without locking the wheels)

BRAMBLE = prickly scrambling shrub of the rose (Brambles line the driveway to the house = It was necessary to get rid of the brambles that cluttered the ploughed (or plowed) fields)

BRAN = pieces of grain husk separated from flour after milling (She has breakfast with bran flakes and semi-skimmed milk = Bran bread tastes good even though it's not my favourite flavour)

BRASH = impetuous, self-assertive in a rude, noisy or overbearing way (He was brash following his company's good accounting results this year = He was impetuous because his company was achieving outstanding results)

BRAWL = rough or noisy fight (There was a brawl in the pub yesterday because the male punters were all plastered = There was a fight in the pub yesterday because the male customers were all drunk)

BRAY = loud harsh cry of a donkey or mule = neigh, whinny (The donkey brayed for a long moment in the stable probably because he felt abandoned to himself = It was a scorching hot day and the donkey was braying all the time, so we brought him a water trough)

BRAZEN = bold and without shame (He had a brazen attitude towards his manager despite his shady dealings = He had a cheeky attitude towards his frontline manager despite his poor performance at work); also: endure an embarrassing or difficult situation by behaving with apparent confidence and lack of shame (He had to brazen it out following the sad situation he was in = He had to be bold because of the sad situation he found himself in)

BREAD AND BUTTER = breadwinner, support = person's livelihood or main source of income (Her salary is the bread and butter of the whole family = Her salary is the breadwinner of the whole family)

BREAK (to break new ground) = do something innovative that is regarded as an advance or of positive benefit (Her business broke new ground and was twice as successful = Her company innovated and achieved success in no time)

BREAKDOWN = mechanical failure (Air-conditioning system failure is a common car breakdown in summer = A car that is not serviced at regular intervals will be more prone to breakdowns than a car that is serviced regularly); also: failure of a relationship or system (There was a breakdown in the long-standing, trusting relationship between the two friends =  The long-standing relationship of trust between the two friends has broken down); also: itemization, apportionment (Breakdown of costs = Breakdown of running expenses); also: explain something to somebody in more simple terms (I don't get it, can you break it down to me, please? = I don't understand, can you explain it to me in detail, please?)

BREAKNECK = (at breakneck speed) = fast, brisk, rapid it happens or travels very fast (He was driving at breakneck speed when he had the accident = Driving at breakneck speed can cause an accident)

BREAK UP (break up a fight) = stop people from fighting (We need to break up the fight before anyone gets seriously hurt = Ending the fight was the right thing to do as he received a critical hit to the face)

BREAST (chicken) = lean cut of meat taken from the pectoral muscle on the underside of the chicken (Children love to eat chicken breasts fried in a pan with onions, nutmeg and chili = Chicken breasts are very popular with children for their tenderness and taste)

BREAST (make a clean of it) = tell the truth, confess fully one's mistakes or wrongdoings (I would like to make a clean breast of everything concerning my addiction to teaching English = To make a clean breast of it, between teaching and me, it's a perfect match = To tell the truth, teaching suits me perfectly)

BREATHER = brief pause for rest (Give me a breather, I'm trying to catch my breath after an intense workout = Give me a break, I'm trying to come to my senses after working hard in training); also: person or animal that breathes in a particular way (She is a heavy breather, which keeps me up at night = She breathes heavily, which prevents me from sleeping peacefully)

BREATHING SPACE = opportunity to pause, relax, or decide what to do next (Give me a breathing space, I need to recharge my batteries before getting back to work = We all need a respite to recharge our batteries after an intense work session)

BREECHES =  short trousers that do not cover the whole of the leg (They wear breeches every time they ride a horse = They wear breeches to ride horses)

BREEZE = saunter, stroll, come or go in a casual or light-hearted manner (She breezed in and out to retrieve a missing document = She went in and out to leave a message in person for the manager); also: gentle wind (A breeze cooled the humid weather, which was good for everyone = A breeze was beneficial for everyone after the heatwave we had); also: thing that is easy to do or accomplish (They breezed through the exam like no others = They passed the exam with flying colors like no one else)

BRICK (to drop a brick) = make a blunder, goof-up, make an indiscreet or embarrassing remark (He dropped a brick in revealing the whole story that had remained secret = He made a mistake in revealing the whole secret story)

BRIM = the upper edge or lip of a cup, bowl or other container (The glass of orange juice was full to the brim = The cup of tea is full to the brim, so don't spill it!); also: the projecting edge at the bottom of a hat (She wore a designer hat with a turned-up brim = She wore a wide-brimmed designer hat)

BRIM OVER = overflow, overrun, flow or run over a limit or brim (The tea poured into the glass brimmed over = The tea poured into the glass overflowed)

BRIMFUL = full of, filled with something to the point of overflowing (You must drink your bowl brimful of soup =You must drink your bowl full of soup = You must drink your bowl of soup to the brim)

BRINE = water strongly impregnated with salt, soaked or preserved in salty water (We preserve pickles in brine for fermentation and flavor = Pickles are preserved in brine to ensure their crispness)

BRINY = of salty water of the sea (The briny taste of mussels is good for your health = The briny flavor of oysters makes them tastier)

BRINK = about to, verge, edge (He is on the brink of failing because the test scores are dismal = He is about to fail because the test results are disappointing)

BRINKMANSHIP = bankruptcy, ability to get to the verge without getting into the war (The company was on the verge of brinkmanship after a sixth consecutive month in the red = The company was on the verge of bankruptcy, unable to turn its financial situation around)

BRISK = energetic, active, swift, (He was brisk, despite the back pain he had been suffering from for several days = He was lively even though he was sore all over after running a marathon); also: cool wind (There was a brisk wind coming from down the valley = A brisk wind picked up as darkness fell); also: lively, active (The market was brisk after a brief decline due to tariffs = The market remained buoyant after experiencing a decline for several weeks)

BRISKLY = in a quick active and energetic way (He walked briskly to catch his train = She walked briskly so as not to be late for her weekly recap meeting)

BRISKET = meat cut from the breast of an animal (The beef brisket was baked with sautéed potatoes on the side = The beef brisket was seared in a pan before cooking)

BRISTLE = covered with, full of (This house has a roof bristled with ivy = The roof was covered with ivy); also: overrun, full of (The small town was bristled with tourists = The small town was overrun with tourists); also: react annoyingly (He bristled when they said they hadn't done their English exercise = He bristled at the thought that they hadn't done their English practice); also: prickly, spiky for a person (The bristles of the man were scratchy = The man's hair was thick); also: prickly, spiky for an animal (The bristles of the animal were stiff = The animal's hair was stiff)

BRITTLE = breakable (The hairbrush bristles were brittle = The toothbrush bristles were brittle)

BROACH (a subject) = bring up, raise, talk about (We will broach this part of the presentation when we come to it = We will cover this part of the presentation when the time comes) 

BROGUE = strong outdoor shoe with ornamental perforated patterns in the leather (I will wear my brogues today because the sun is high in the sky = Brogues are dress shoes that can be worn with any type of outfit, except sportswear); also: Irish accent Irish or Scottish accent (She speaks with a brogue accent that probably comes from Ireland or Scotland = The brogue accent is a kind of intonation and pronunciation of words that is music to the ears)

BROIL = cook by exposing to direct heat (She broiled a chicken which turned out to be very tasty = She grilled chicken drumsticks and the taste was out of this world); also: becoming very hot from the sun (The small town lay broiling in the sun = The little town burned in the sun)

BROILER = grill, gridiron on the stove to cook meat or fish by exposure to direct heat (Grilled meat is low in fat because the fat is partially burned in the broiler = Grilled meat has a low fat content because the grill retains most of the fat)

BROKEN (in broken French) = in bad French (Your broken French makes it difficult to understand when you speak = Your approximate French makes it difficult to understand when you speak) 

BROOD (over) = to ruminate, to think deeply about something that makes us angry, unhappy or worried (I want to brood over why he made the wrong decision to buy stocks at an inopportune time = Those who failed their exam last year will have time to ruminate on what happened during a year of repeating a year)

BROOK = stream (There is a small brook that flows silently through the embedded rocks behind my house = The stream was diverted from its course following torrential rains)

BROOM = long-handled brush for sweeping the floor (The floor had to be swept with a broom to keep it spotless = The broomstick broke due to heavy pressure placed on it while sweeping)

BROTH = soup consisting of meat and vegetables (The broth was tasty with onions and a mix of spices = The broth was too thin so I added thickeners)

BROTHEL = rehabilitation center for young misfits (A brothel was opened to accommodate young offenders in order to guide them towards personal development = Brothel aims to give young offenders a second chance to get back on their feet)

BROWSE = reading (I would like to browse through the new book to get the quintessence of it = Browsing through the new book has been the best thing ever for learning new skills)

BRUNT = force, impact (He bears the brunt of the failure of our sales = He pays the price for the failure of our sales)

BRUSH UP ON = revise, read up (They must brush up on their courses if they want to succeed = They must revise their lessons as they go so as not to fall behind)

BRUSHWOOD = twigs, undergrowth, small pieces of branches that have broken off or have been cut from trees and bushes (Brushwood is numerous in fall during forest walks = There are many bushes in fall while walking in the forest)

BUCK UP = cheer up (Buck up, after the rain, the sun must come, which means that things will get better = Even if you don't get the expected result, pull yourself together and take action)

BUCKRAM = it's a stiff cotton fabric, sometimes linen or loosely woven horsehair, often muslin (Buckram fabric is an extremely strong and stiff material often used for bookbinding = Buckram is a canvas which is mainly used to stiffen the bottom of sleeves, the slits of jackets as well as vests and hats)

BUCKWHEAT = Asian plant of the dock family producing starchy seeds (I had buckwheat scone for breakfast with hot chocolate and squeezed orange juice = Buckwheat bread is sold in some bakeries and you can eat it for breakfast or as a meal)

BUDDY = close friend (As friends, they're going out to the pub next weekend = Friends should support each other in case one of them encounters problems)

BUDGERIGAR = also known in its short version: budgie, is a small gregarious parakeet (They keep a budgerigar (budgie) in their house and consider it a pet = They keep a parakeet in their house and consider it a pet)

BUFFER = bulwark, cushion, absorb, it's a person or thing that helps protect against harm, risk or trouble (Having social contact can be a buffer against boredom and stress = Green spaces serve as a buffer between living beings and the environment)

BUGGER = stupid guy (He is a bugger for not taking full responsibility for his actions = He's a jerk not to approve of the misdeeds committed under his influence); also: shit (Bugger, I forgot my jacket in the car! = Bugger, what did you do that for? = Why the fuck did you do that?); also: moron (The bugger house doesn't even have)

BULGE = swelling, bump, surge, upsurge (There is an unexplained bulge in the garden following flooding of the land = We experienced a sharp increase in revenue last month due to the customers' buying frenzy)

BULK = size, volume of something large (This is a bulk of products that we ordered a few weeks ago = This is a large batch of products they ordered a few weeks ago); also: greater part of something (The bulk volume should be better studied = Bulk volume has increased dramatically)

BULLFIGHTER = fight and sometimes kills a bull in a bullfight (A bullfighter is a person who tames bulls when practicing bullfighting = A bullfighter faces bulls in a bullfight, trying to tame them)

BULLFINCH = it's a small bird of the finch family with a black head and a pink chest (A bullfinch perched on a branch, probably to bask in the sun = A bullfinch was strutting around perhaps in search of food)

BULLOCK = young bull, oxen, steer = (Bullocks are raised to be sold in the livestock market, mainly for meat production = Farmers raise young bulls to sell them at the cattle market); also: bullocking or working their fingers to the bone = work extremely long and hard (People were wiped out bullocking to make ends meet = People were very tired of working their fingers to the bone to make ends meet)

BULL'S EYE (hit the bull's eye) =  to hit the mark, to nail it, to strike home (Their decision to hold the majority of shares hit the bull's eye because it saved many jobs = Their decision to be a majority shareholder hit the mark since it saved many jobs)

BULLION = ingot, nugget, ore asset (It's good to buy bullion when we can afford it, as their value continues to increase over the years = Bullion is the best purchase to invest our money in when we can afford it)

BULRUSH = rush, soft rush, sedge (Cultivation of bulrush is beneficial for humanity = Rush cultivation is vital for its benefits to humanity = Soft rush cultivation is fundamental for its benefits to humanity = Sedge cultivation is essential for its benefits to humanity )

BULWARK = rampart, fortification, stockade, barricade (I would like to visit a bulwark as it that recalls an ancient historical era = I would like to visit a rampart to better understand the ancient era)

BUN (bread) = bap, cob, barm cake (I like to eat steak-filled buns, with cheese, onion rings, salad, pickles and hot sauce = Steak-filled buns are also tasty without beef for vegetarians, only with plant-based meat)

BUN (hair) =  topknot, crown braids, French twist (She likes to wear her hair in a bun so that it is no longer loose = She sometimes wears a double bun hairstyle to school)

BUMF (mainly British) = paperwork, bureaucracy, red-tape, officialese (I resent the administrative bumf because I rarely understand the ins and outs of it the first time = I hate the paperwork of reading and filling out administrative forms)

BUMPKIN = boor, lout, yokel, yahoo (People are sometimes bumpkins when they come across other people in public places with their foul language = People are most often boors when meeting other people in pubs due to the rudeness of their language)

BUMPTIOUS = conceited, puffed up, full of oneself, self-important (He is the bumptious type, especially since he believes himself to be far above others, which is false = He is the arrogant type, especially since he thinks he's at the head of the pack, which isn't true)

BUNDLE = package, sheaf, bunch (I'm ready with my bundle of personal belongings to spend the night in a hotel to attend an important meeting in Paris early tomorrow = I have prepared my package to spend a night in a hotel for an important meeting in Paris early tomorrow)

BUNG = cork, stopper, fastener, latch (A bung was put on the soda soda to prevent all the drink from spilling in the refrigerator = A cork was placed on the bottle to keep the fizz inside the bottle )

BUNGLE = mess up, make a mess of, botch, foul up, muck up, louse up, screw up, mishandle (The job was bundled up and he had to redo it = The work was botched up and he had to redo it)

BUNK = berth, bed, rack, doss, (Lower bunks are less risky than upper bunks if you wake up in the middle of the night = Lower berths are less risky than upper berths if you wake up in the middle of the night); also: to do a bunk = to leave a place suddenly and unexpectedly (They had done a bunk without even saying goodbye to us)

BUNTING = pennant, streamer, banner, gonfalon (There was a lot of bunting after the soccer team won last night There were a lot of banners after the football team's victory last night)

BURBLE = rumble, tinkle, whir, gurgle (We burbled some ideas for tomorrow's workday and slumbered = We mumbled some ideas for tomorrow's workday and fell asleep)

BURLAP = sackcloth, hessian, hopsack (This burlap is durable because its manufacturer used environmentally friendly products = The sustainability of this hessian is essential, using environmentally friendly products)

BURLY = sturdy, robust, well-built, strapping (The man is burly and serves as a security guard at large events = He is sturdy and serves as a security guard at large events)

BURROW = lair, den, retreat, excavation (The animal hasn't left its burrow for days, it must be dead in there! = The animal hasn't left its den for days, it must be dead in there!)

BURSARY = financial aid, grant, scholarship, charity, reward (She received a bursary to pursue her higher education while living on a tight budget = She received a scholarship to pursue her higher education while living on a shoestring budget)

BUSHED = extremely tired, exhausted, wiped out, dazed, drained (I'm going to bed in a few minutes because I'm so bushed right now = I'm going to bed in a few minutes because I'm so exhausted right now)

BUSKER=street musician, performer, (There are fewer buskers because they are regularly expelled from public places = Street musicians are rarely seen on the streets as  they are chased out of city centers)

BUST-UP = quarrel, squabble, altercation, bickering (They had a bust-up over who should keep custody of their dog after the divorce = They argued over who should keep custody of their dog after the divorce)

BUTLER  = maid, footman, servant, housekeeper (We had a butler at home when I was a child = A butler worked for my family when I was a child)

BUTT = backside, behind, buttocks (Park your butt on the chair in front of you = Sit on the chair in front of you)

BUTT-IN = interrupt, intrude, break in (a conversation or activity) (Sorry to butt in on you like this but there's someone at reception asking for you = Sorry to bother you like this but there is someone at reception asking for you)

BUXOM (buxom woman) = curvy, shapely, curvaceous, busty, chesty, plump, rounded (I like buxom women because they have a lot to offer in terms of cuddling = I like curvaceous women as they have a lot to offer in terms of cuddling = I fancy curvy women because they have a lot to offer in terms of cuddling)

BUZZER = electric bell, alarm, bleeper, siren, (A buzzer has just rung from the back of the main meeting room = A bell has just gone off from the back of the main meeting room)

BUZZ (buzz off) = shove off, clear out, walk out, beat it (You have already gotten what you wanted in terms of employment, so buzz off! = Beat it, before I have you arrested by the police for the riots)

BUZZARD = vulture, hawk, bird of prey, carrion eater (A buzzard has just landed on the carcass of a mammal killed by poaching = A bird of prey has just leaned over a dead animal to eat its remains)

BYGONE = past, previous, former, long-ago (Let bygones be bygones and look to the future, there is still much to accomplish = Let's forget the past and look to the future, there is still much to accomplish)

BYPASS = diversion, detour, ring road, relief road (Roadworks are underway like every summer and the highway has been shutdown. There is a bypass on the M4 = Work is underway like every summer and the motorway has been closed. There is a detour on the M4 = There is a diversion on the M4)

BY-PRODUCT= result, derivate, outcome, consequence (There is a much cheaper medical by-product made from the main molecule of the product, available in pharmacies = There is a derivative as effective as the main product that can be found in pharmacies)

BYROAD = byway, bystreet, side roads, passageway, (There are several byroads I often use to avoid traffic snarl-ups at rush hours = There are several side roads that I often use to avoid rush hour traffic)

BYWORD (byword for) = saying, motto, maxim, catchword (The name of Philippe ETCHEBEST, the Chef, has become a byword for affordable French cuisine = The name of this famous writer has become a keyword for effective novelists around the world)

BYSTANDER = passer-by, onlooker, eye-witness, observer (Many bystanders lined the speedway following a spectacular fender bender that was heard miles away when it occurred = There were many passers-by to watch the street performance)